The Relationship Between Childhood Abuse, Personality, and Depression: A Narrative Review

Depression is a common mental health problem that imposes a significant burden on both individuals and society. Numerous studies have shown that childhood abuse has a long-lasting detrimental effect on mental health, including the development of depression. This study reviews recent studies on the association between childhood abuse and depression, highlighting the robust causal link between childhood abuse and subsequent depression. The strength of this association varies depending on the type of abuse, with emotional abuse showing a particularly strong connection to depression. In addition, this narrative review examines the role of personality in the relationship between childhood abuse and depression. Evidence indicates that personality traits act as both mediators and moderators in this association, with neuroticism being particularly influential. Although available research evidence primarily consists of cross-sectional studies, which cannot determine the temporal sequence of childhood abuse, personality problems, and depression, the interrelations of these three variables provide a more comprehensive understanding of the etiology of depression. These insights lay the foundation for future longitudinal research and inform the development of more targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions in clinical psychiatry.