Potential sequelae of family history of depression. Identifying family members at risk.

1. There is increasing evidence that depressed clients with and without a family history of depression differ on several clinical features, such as learned resourcefulness, depressed cognitions, and coping capabilities. Subjects reporting a family history of depression do not differ from those with no familial depression in demographic characteristics, severity of depression, or adaptive functioning. 2. Depressed inpatients with a history of family depression, however, are significantly less resourceful and less optimistic than their counterparts with no family history of depression. 3. As resourcefulness and optimism are believed to be learned, nursing interventions for teaching specific skills would be particularly useful in preventing depression and promoting mental health for family members who are at risk for clinical depression.