Abstract

FERNANDEZ MARTINEZ, Rafael et al. Ecophenotypes in major depression: the role of child physical abuse. Rev. Asoc. Esp. Neuropsiq. [online]. 2018, vol.38, n.133, pp.75-97. ISSN 2340-2733.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/s0211-57352018000100004.

Major depression can be derived from different risk factors, among which experiences of adversity throughout the years of development have been highlighted. In the present work, we investigated whether the experience of physical abuse, one of the documented risk factors, is associated with distinct clinical characteristics among patients with major depression. In the study, with a cross-sectional design, we compared two groups of patients with major depression according to DSM-IV One group consisted of 20 patients who reported child physical abuse and the other consisted of 52 patients who did not report child physical abuse or other forms of child abuse. Our results showed differential clinical features. In particular, child physical abuse was associated with a higher number of previous depressive episodes, higher levels of depressive symptoms, self-deprecation, suicidal behavior throughout the life span, dysfunctional personality traits, impaired academic/work performance, subtle cognitive dysfunctions, paranoidism, and difficulties in social relationships. The pathways through which childhood adversity may have an impact on this clinical ecophenotype and some therapeutic implications are discussed.

Keywords : major depression; ecophenotypes; childhood maltreatment.

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