Childhood Adversity and the Endogenous Versus Nonendogenous Distinction in Women With Major Depression

The present study sought to address the association between childhood adversity & the nonendogenous subtype of depression by 1) investigating the relationship between depression subtype & different levels of childhood adversity & 2) examining the relative contribution of different types of childhood adversity to depression subtypes. Results indicated that the only nonendogenous symptom to significantly discriminate severe versus non-severe levels of sexual abuse was suicidal ideation, suggesting that severe childhood adversity, particularly sexual abuse, is associated with severe endogenous depression with significant suicidal ideation. (29 refs)