The present study evaluates the pathogenetic effects of parentally depressions on the children and adolescents in this families. Tested were 100 patients from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). 50 children and adolescents with at least one depressive parent were related to the investigation group. In addition the control group consisted of 50 children and adolescents with psychiatrically normal parents. We assume that children with a depressive parent need more and longer treatment and the diagnosis will differ from the control group. Furthermore we assume that children of the investigation group are environed more by psychosocial strains. In fact the results proof that children with a depressive parent need significant longer outpatient treatment and a significant increased number of inpatient treatment, appearing syndromes are not specific though. All in all the children of the investigation group are exposed more by psychosocial strains. Further results show, that this children consult more mental institutions and attending therapists commend more often an aftertreatment. Advising to our results children and adolescents with a depressive parent need obviously more treatment than the control group. Therefore an extension of therapeutic and preventive treatment as well as psychological attendance for families with a depressive parent is necessary.
