Background. In the present paper, sex differences in the
association between adult depression and
childhood experiences were examined.
Methods. The study series of the Finnish UKKI Study consisted
of a population sample of 501 men
and 499 women. Information concerning childhood experiences was gathered
retrospectively in a
baseline survey carried out in 1969–72. After the initial
phase, the mental health of the subjects was
evaluated by interviews, questionnaires and register data at the
5-year follow-up (1974–6) and at the
16-year follow-up (1985–7).
Results. Twelve per cent of men and 21% of women had
suffered from depression during the 16-year follow-up period. A
disturbed mother–child relationship and neurotic symptoms in
childhood were associated with depression in women but not in men in
the logistic model that included gender
interaction. In separate analyses by gender several childhood factors
showed statistically significant
associations with depression in women but only a few in men.
Conclusions. The finding suggests that childhood experiences
are more highly predisposing factors
to depression in women than in men.