Citation

Tao M, Li Y, Xie D, Wang Z, Qiu J, Wu W, Sun J, Wang Z, Tao D, Zhao H, Tian T, Zhang J, Gao C, Niu Q, Li Q, Liu S, Liu J, Zhang Y, He Q, Rong H, Gan Z, Li J, Chen X, Pan J, Li Y, Cui Y, Han W, Ma H, Xie S, Jin G, Li L, Zhang R, Tan Q, Zhang J, Guan J, Shi S, Chen Y, Kendler KS, Flint J, Gao J. J. Affect. Disord. 2011; 135(1-3): 95-99.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2011.06.054

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background
In European and US studies, patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) report more stressful life events (SLEs) than controls, but this relationship has rarely been studied in Chinese populations.
Methods
Sixteen lifetime SLEs were assessed at interview in two groups of Han Chinese women: 1970 clinically ascertained with recurrent MDD and 2597 matched controls. Diagnostic and other risk factor information was assessed at personal interview. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression.
Results
60% of controls and 72% of cases reported at least one lifetime SLE. Fourteen of the sixteen SLEs occurred significantly more frequently in those with MDD (median odds ratio of 1.6). The three SLEs most strongly associated with risk for MDD (OR > 3.0) preceded the onset of MDD the majority of the time: rape (82%), physical abuse (100%) and serious neglect (99%).
Limitations
Our results may apply to females only. SLEs were rated retrospectively and are subject to biases in recollection. We did not assess contextual information for each life event.
Conclusions
More severe SLEs are more strongly associated with MDD. These results support the involvement of psychosocial adversity in the etiology of MDD in China.