The negative effects of depression in relationships are well-established. In general, depressed children and adolescents report having less satisfying relationships, and feel more insecure about their relationships.
Forming romantic relationships is an important developmental step for adolescents, as adolescent relationships teach important skills that aid future adult ones.
How Does Depression Affect Relationships?
Adolescents with high levels of depressive symptoms may lack problem-solving skills, resulting in difficulty resolving conflict in romantic relationships through early adulthood, according to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology in 2011.
Researchers investigated the depressive symptoms, problem-solving skills, and conflict resolution behavior of 200 10th-grade students over a 4 1/2-year period. They suggest that depressive symptoms may interfere with the acquisition of problem-solving skills, which appear to be essential for future romantic relationships.
Additionally, common symptoms of depression, like social withdrawal, feeling misunderstood, or irritability, may decrease a child's desire to form relationships at all.
When It May Be Depression
Distress in a relationships has been identified as a precursor and consequence of childhood depression. Given this, parents of children or adolescents who show significant distress or difficulty in relationships should watch for other signs and symptoms of depression, such as:
- Sadness
- Feelings of guilt
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Unexplained physical complaints
- Sleeping and appetite changes
Even subsyndromal symptoms of depression are shown to negatively impact romantic relationships, and therefore, the early identification and treatment of even mild depressive symptoms in childhood could have important benefits to your child.
All children and adolescents will have ups and downs in their relationships, but if you feel like her relationship difficulties are significantly interfering with her daily functioning, it is worth talking to her pediatrician or mental heath provider to explore what is going on.
Sources:
Boris Birmaher, MD, David Brent, MD, et al.Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Depressive Disorders. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 46(11). November 2007. 1503-1526
Depression and Suicide in Children and Adolescents. A Report of the Surgeon General. Accessed: 02/14/2011. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec5.html
Hana M. Vujeva, Wydol Furman. Depressive Symptoms and Romantic Relationship Qualities from Adolescence Through Emerging Adulthood: A Longitudinal Examination of Influences. The Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. 40(1): 123-135.
