An ongoing longitudinal community study (N = 375) examined childhood risks
and later adult impairments associated with 1-year Diagnostic and Statistic
al,Mn,Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.; American Psychiatric Assoc
iation, 1987) diagnoses of major depression during the transition to adulth
ood. Risks from birth to age 9 were reported by mothers, participants, and
teachers. Teacher-reported hostility at age 6 predicted later depression. A
t age 9, self-perceptions of anxiety/depression, unpopularity. familial rej
ection, and abuse were potent risks. For men, neonatal and childhood health
problems predicted later depression. For women. risks included family cons
tellation, parental death, and poor academic achievement at age 9. Men and
women who were depressed at age 18, age 21, or both demonstrated extensive
psychosocial impairments in early adulthood, including poor overall functio
ning, interpersonal and behavioral problems, low self-esteem, and suicidali
ty.