Study Shows How Genetics and Family Influence Childhood Depression and Anxiety Risk

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:53:00 +0200

A recent study published in Nature Mental Health highlights how childhood depression and anxiety arise from a complex mix of genetics and family environment. Researchers analyzed genetic and mental health data from over 9,000 parent-child trios in Norway using machine learning models and polygenic scores to estimate susceptibility to internalizing symptoms such as emotional withdrawal, social suppression, and inwardly directed distress. The study identifies two pathways influencing risk: direct genetic inheritance from parents and indirect effects where parents’ genetically influenced traits shape the child's environment, including parenting style, emotional support, and household stress. Findings indicate that parental genetic influences are stronger in early childhood, while a child's own genetic predisposition becomes more prominent during adolescence. The study also challenges the notion that only parental depression or anxiety drives familial mental health patterns, showing that t