Depression in childhood. 1: Clinical correlates of depressed children admitted for treatment to a residential program.

Ninety-three children with a diagnosis of depression were admitted to a residential children's unit over a six-year period. Background and clinical data were analysed in order to identify correlates associated with the disorder and to examine the concept of 'depressive equivalents'. The results indicated that parental loss, particularly loss of father, through death or desertion, psychiatric illness in the parents and stressful events in early childhood were important concomitants of the disorder. The study also supported the current literature on 'depressive equivalents' and their expression in childhood.