Children and depression--the children of depressed parents; the childhood of depressed patients; depression in children.

In order to understand the development of depression in children, three types of data are reviewed: (1) studies of the children of depressed parents; (2) studies of the childhood histories of depressed adults; (3) direct studies of depression in children. These data support an increased frequency of depression and other psychopathology in the children of depressed adults. An examination of the homes of children with a depressed parent reveals a disruptive, hostile, and rejecting environment. This atmosphere is also found in the homes of depressed children and in the homes of children who become depressed as adults. Methodological issues are discussed which will help sort out the relative influences of genes and environment in future studies.