Family is considered to be one large social factor that could potentially cause a rise to the ‘epidemic’ of depression. Before discussing this in detail, we must first understand the definition of depression and how this may have changed over time. Depression is more of a feeling that makes one feel intensely sad and moody for a long period (Sheffield, 2009). People can argue that among the interpersonal cases that would contribute to the onset of depressive disorders, the aura of a family has significant weight and influence on a depressed individual.

Among the ways that families contribute to depression is that people within a given family tend to care about each other a lot. As a result, if anything bad happens to one party, the other members become extremely concerned to the extent of developing depression. A study by Hammen & Brennan (2001) indicated that depressed children emanating from depressed mothers had severe negative interpersonal behavior compared to children whose mothers do not have depression. This is because depressed mothers tend to be more hostile, less caring and warm. Children end up feeling a lack of control while having a high risk of rejection, low self-esteem, and conflict (Hammen & Brennan, 2001). These are likely to aggravate mood disorder among children.

Marriages also tend to have problems. The problems become chronic in some marriages, though. One of the spouses is likely to develop clinical depression as a result. This is because the marriage is likely to be experiencing some hostility, friction and lack of affection. Women can also become distressed while pregnant. This is because of the changing interpersonal relationship with the husband, and the need to develop a relationship with the unborn child (Sheffield, 2009). Trying to develop these relationships can be stressful, and result in mood disorder.

References

Hammen, C., & Brennan, P. A. (2001). Depressed adolescents of depressed and nondepressed     mothers: Tests of an interpersonal impairment hypothesis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 284-294.

Sheffield, A. (2009). How you can survive when they’re depressed. New York: Three Rivers         Press.

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