Mood Emot.  2019 Nov;17(3):89-98. 10.35986/me.2019.17.3.89.

Childhood Trauma and Treatment Implications in Major Depressive Disorder in South Korea: Comparison with Medical Outpatients and Two-Year Follow-Up

• Kim C
• Jeong Y
• Kim EK
• Park SC
• Jo HY
• Kim D

• KMID: 2467223
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2019.17.3.89

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Little is known about the specific types of childhood trauma and their relationship to treatment-related issues in major depressive disorder (MDD). This study examined trauma experiences and treatment-related variables in outpatients with MDD at a psychiatric department of a university hospital in Korea.
METHODS
First, 75 outpatients with MDD were compared to medical outpatients without MDD matched by age, sex, income, and educational qualifications. Both groups completed the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised, which assesses comprehensive life events. Second, treatment-related variables and medication compliance measured by the Compliance Rating Scale were investigated for the two-year period after the initial assessment.
RESULTS
The MDD group had experienced a significantly higher number of lifetime traumas than the control group (p=0.003), including more frequent witnessing of family violence (p<0.001), adulthood physical assault by a family member (p<0.001), and childhood emotional abuse (CEA) (p<0.001). CEA was associated with early onset of the first depressive episode and premature termination of pharmacotherapy; childhood physical neglect was associated with premature termination and less time in therapy.
CONCLUSION
Our findings support the important influence of childhood emotional trauma and its relationship to treatment retention.

Keyword

Major depressive disorder; Child abuse; Child neglect; Treatment adherence and compliance; Patient dropouts

MeSH Terms

Child
Child Abuse
Compliance
Depressive Disorder, Major*
Domestic Violence
Drug Therapy
Follow-Up Studies*
Humans
Korea*
Medication Adherence
Outpatients*
Patient Dropouts