Preventing depression in the offspring of parents with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

One major predictor of depression onset is having a depressed parent. This study provides the first systematic review and meta-analysis of preventive interventions for offspring of depressed parents. We searched six literature databases and included randomized controlled trials which concerned the non-depressed offspring (aged 18 or younger) of a depressed parent, who received a preventive intervention designed to reduce the risk of depression or a comparison condition. Primary and secondary outcome measures were the severity and incidence of childhood depression. 14 publications reporting data from seven trials (n = 935 children) were included and were of relatively high quality. The effect of the interventions (versus any control condition) on depressive and internalising symptoms at post-intervention follow-up (up to four months) was small but significant [g′ = − 0.20, 95% CI (− 0.34; − 0.06), p = 0.005; I2 = 0.00%]. The interventions also had a small but significant effect on depression incidence [Risk Ratio = 0.56; 95% CI(0.41;0.77); d′ = − 0.42]. Intervention effects were not present in the short-term (up to 12 months post-intervention) or long-term (15-72 months post-intervention) follow-ups. Interventions targeting the offspring of depressed parents show promise not only in reducing symptoms of depression but also in preventing the onset of depression, at least immediately after the intervention.