Optimising outcomes in offspring of depressed parents: Identification of modifiable promoters of sustained mental health resilience

Padaigaitė-Gulbinienė, Egle 2024. Optimising outcomes in offspring of depressed parents: Identification of modifiable promoters of sustained mental health resilience. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Introduction. Despite the heightened risk for a range of mental health difficulties, some offspring of depressed parents remain remarkably resilient. This thesis aimed to identify factors enhancing mental health resilience in the offspring of depressed parents over the transition to young adulthood – a developmental period when common mental health problems tend to emerge. Methods. Various methods were utilised, including consulting a youth advisory group, systematic literature review and analysis of two high-risk and population cohorts: the Early Prediction of Adolescence Depression (EPAD) study and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Mental health resilience was operationalised as sustained good mental health, better-than-expected mental health outcomes, and depressive symptoms trajectories. Associations between parent, individual, social, and lifestyle factors and mental health resilience were examined using regression analyses and multigroup latent growth models. Results. As a result of the youth advisory group, alternative definitions of mental health resilience were used in this thesis. It also informed the protective factors examined. A systematic review identified 10 demographic, parenting, individual, and social factors associated with mental health resilience. Two empirical studies examined family, parenting, individual, social, and lifestyle factors. Together, these demonstrated: 1) relatively low rates of sustained good mental health in young adulthood; 2) that a range of factors were associated with mental health resilience, but in many instances, these associations did not persist over the transition to young adulthood; 3) that parental depression remission, and some individual, social and lifestyle factors showed evidence for prolonged protective associations; 4) associations were not moderated by maternal depression. Conclusion. Some young adults demonstrated mental health resilience despite high familial risk for mental health problems. Parental depression remission, individual, social, and lifestyle factors remained protective over the transition into young adulthood. Future studies should explore evidence for causal effects and translate these findings into preventative interventions that could potentially mitigate the challenges these families face.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 March 2025
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2025 13:53
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/176786

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