ABSTRACT
It is well-established that having a parent who suffers from depression places chil dren at higher risk for developing depression, themselves. Children with a clini cally depressed parent are six times more likely than other children to develop major depression (Downey & Coyne, 1990). Furthermore, such children are at higher risk for problems in self-control, aggression, poor peer relationships, be havioral problems, academic difficulties, and attentional problems (Coghill, Caplan, Alexandra, Robson, & Kumar, 1986; Downey & Walker, 1992; Erickson, Sroufe, & Egeland, 1985; Ghodsian, Zajicek, & Wolkind, 1984; Grunebaum, Cohler, Kaufman, & Gallant, 1978; Orvaschel, Welsh-Allis, & Weijai, 1988; Panak & Garber, 1992; Redding, Harmon, & Morgan, 1990). A number of fami ly risk factors associated with parental depression have been identified, including course and severity o f parental depression, exposure to parental depression, mar ital conflict, maltreatment, and adverse living conditions (Downey & Walker, 1992). Child risk factors include early developmental difficulties, gender, age, low self-esteem, aggressive behavior, perceived rejection, and social-cognitive deficits (Downey & Walker, 1992; Hammon, 1988; Panak & Garber, 1992).
