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Predictors of Positive Outcomes in Offspring of Depressed Parents and Non-depressed Parents Across 20 Years

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Abstract

Understanding differences in factors leading to positive outcomes in high-risk and low-risk offspring has important implications for preventive interventions. We identified variables predicting positive outcomes in a cohort of 235 offspring from 76 families in which one, both, or neither parent had major depressive disorder. Positive outcomes were termed resilient in offspring of depressed parents, and competent in offspring of non-depressed parents, and defined by two separate criteria: absence of psychiatric diagnosis and consistently high functioning at 2, 10, and 20 years follow-up. In offspring of depressed parents, easier temperament and higher self-esteem were associated with greater odds of resilient outcome defined by absence of diagnosis. Lower maternal overprotection, greater offspring self-esteem, and higher IQ were associated with greater odds of resilient outcome defined by consistently high functioning. Multivariate analysis indicated that resilient outcome defined by absence of diagnosis was best predicted by offspring self-esteem; resilient outcome defined by functioning was best predicted by maternal overprotection and self-esteem. Among offspring of non-depressed parents, greater family cohesion, easier temperament and higher self-esteem were associated with greater odds of offspring competent outcome defined by absence of diagnosis. Higher maternal affection and greater offspring self-esteem were associated with greater odds of competent outcome, defined by consistently high functioning. Multivariate analysis for each criterion indicated that competent outcome was best predicted by offspring self-esteem. As the most robust predictor of positive outcomes in offspring of depressed and non-depressed parents, self-esteem is an important target for youth preventive interventions.

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Acknowledgments

Data collection for this work was funded by National Institute of Mental Health Grant R01 MH-036197 (M. Weissman PI). Data analysis was funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (Proposal # 14918) “Understanding the role of belief in the resilience of families at risk for depression: religion, brain structure and genetics” (M. Weissman PI) Helen Verdeli is supported by National Institute of Mental Health K23 Award (MH071530). The funders of this research had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, the writing of this paper, or in the decision to submit it for publication.

Conflict of interest

Myrna Weissman has received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), the Sackler Foundation, the Templeton Foundation and the Interstitial Cystitis Association; and receives royalties from the Oxford University Press, Perseus Press, the American Psychiatric Association Press, and MultiHealth Systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    R. Eric Lewandowski

  2. Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Helen Verdeli

  3. Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Priya Wickramaratne & Virginia Warner

  4. Psychology Department, Pace University, Pleasantville, NY, 10570, USA

    Anthony Mancini

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Myrna Weissman

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  1. R. Eric Lewandowski
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  2. Helen Verdeli
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  4. Virginia Warner
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Correspondence to R. Eric Lewandowski.

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Lewandowski, R.E., Verdeli, H., Wickramaratne, P. et al. Predictors of Positive Outcomes in Offspring of Depressed Parents and Non-depressed Parents Across 20 Years. J Child Fam Stud 23, 800–811 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9732-3

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