Assortative mating and affective disorders: psychopathology in offspring

Familial aggregation has been frequently observed among probands with depression, anxiety disorders, and alcoholism (Gershon et al. 1976; Goodwin et al. 1973; Crowe et al. 1983). Because of the familial nature of these disorders, offspring of such probands have been identified to be at high risk for developing these illnesses themselves (Tarter 1983). Information regarding such risk has come from several sources: retrospective studies of patients with psychiatric disorders; studies of children whose parents are being treated for these disorders; and longitudinal follow-up studies of children with symptoms of the disorder.