3) Psychosocial Factors in Depression

Question 1

Suggest some childhood experiences that can predispose to depression:

Answer 1

Insecure attachment
Quality of parental relationships
Loss of a parent
Bullying

Question 2

What are the types of attachment? (4)

Answer 2

Secure
Avoidant
Resistant-ambivalent
Disorganised

Question 3

Describe secure attachment:

Answer 3

Caregiver is sensitive and responsive to child’s needs. Child uses parent as secure base to explore from

Question 4

Describe avoidant attachment:

Answer 4

Caregiver rejects child. Little affection in sharing play and not so distressed when parent leaves

Question 5

Describe resistant-ambivalent attachment:

Answer 5

Care giver inconsistency. Need a lot of reassurance on return and can be angry

Question 6

Describe disorganised attachment:

Answer 6

Caregiver unpredictable or frightening. Child has unordinary behaviour on return e.g. rocking

Question 7

What is identity moratorium?

Answer 7

Exploring without making definite decisions

Question 8

What is identity achievement?

Answer 8

Stable identity

Question 9

What is foreclosure?

Answer 9

Acceptance of parents/society rules without questioning

Question 10

What is identity diffusion?

Answer 10

Little care about values and conformation

Question 11

What features of parental relationships with their children can predispose to depression?

Answer 11

Lack of warmth
Lack of caring attitude
Overly controlling or over protective

Question 12

What other parent factors can predispose to depression?

Answer 12

Parental mental disorder
Fighting leading to divorce
Death of parent

Question 13

What are the relationships between bullying and depression?

Answer 13

Bullying can cause depression

Bullies are more likely to be depressed

Question 14

Why is the prevalence of mood disorders higher in women?

Answer 14

Child care is stressful and often falls to woman
Men ruminate less
Women are more willing to admit they are depressed

Question 15

What is the relationship between marital factors and depression?

Answer 15

Married < Never married < Divorced

Question 16

What factors play a role in postnatal depression?

Answer 16

Loss of sleep
Hormones
Hard work
Obstetric complications

Question 17

What is the effect of depression of social relationships?

Answer 17

Lower social self-confidence

Less social interaction

Question 18

What socio-economic risk factors are there for depression?

Answer 18

Poverty 
Low level of education 
Low social class
Social isolation 
Financial hardship
Unemployment

Question 19

What is the relationship between alcohol and depression?

Answer 19

Either disorder increases risk of other