Abstract
Purpose
Studies suggest that childhood trauma is linked to both depression and heavy drinking in adulthood, and may create a lifelong
vulnerability to stress. Few studies have explored the effects of stress sensitization on the development of depression or
heavy drinking among those who have experienced traumatic childhood events. This study aimed to determine the effect of childhood
trauma on the odds of experiencing depression or heavy drinking in the face of an adult life stressor, using a large population-based
Canadian cohort.
vulnerability to stress. Few studies have explored the effects of stress sensitization on the development of depression or
heavy drinking among those who have experienced traumatic childhood events. This study aimed to determine the effect of childhood
trauma on the odds of experiencing depression or heavy drinking in the face of an adult life stressor, using a large population-based
Canadian cohort.
Methods
A total of 3,930 participants were included from the National Population Health Survey. The associations among childhood trauma,
recent stress and depression/heavy drinking from 1994/1995 to 2008/2009 were explored using logistic regression, as were interactions
between childhood trauma and recent stress. A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of childhood
trauma and stressful events on depression/heavy drinking. Analyses were stratified by sex.
recent stress and depression/heavy drinking from 1994/1995 to 2008/2009 were explored using logistic regression, as were interactions
between childhood trauma and recent stress. A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of childhood
trauma and stressful events on depression/heavy drinking. Analyses were stratified by sex.
Results
Childhood trauma significantly increased the odds of becoming depressed (following 1 event: OR = 1.66; 95 %CI 1.01, 2.71;
2+ events, OR = 3.89; 95 %CI 2.44, 6.22) and drinking heavily (2+ events: OR = 1.79; 95 %CI 1.03, 3.13). Recent stressful
events were associated with depression, but not heavy drinking. While most interaction terms were not significant, in 2004/2005
the association between recent stress and depression was stronger in those who reported childhood trauma compared to those
with no childhood trauma.
2+ events, OR = 3.89; 95 %CI 2.44, 6.22) and drinking heavily (2+ events: OR = 1.79; 95 %CI 1.03, 3.13). Recent stressful
events were associated with depression, but not heavy drinking. While most interaction terms were not significant, in 2004/2005
the association between recent stress and depression was stronger in those who reported childhood trauma compared to those
with no childhood trauma.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0531-8
- Authors
- Ian Colman, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Yasmin Garad, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Yiye Zeng, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Kiyuri Naicker, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Murray Weeks, Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, RGN 3230C, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Scott B. Patten, Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Peter B. Jones, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Angus H. Thompson, Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, Canada
- T. Cameron Wild, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954