15 Percent of Preschoolers Suffer from Depression and Anxiety

A new 5 year investigation has found that 15 percent of preschoolers suffer from depression and anxiety. The study also found that children with these conditions are more likely to have a mother with a history of depression. The study involving researchers from Canada, Quebec and Ireland looked at 1,758 children from Quebec, Canada.

Indications of higher risk for depression and anxiety can be found as early as the first year of life. According to one of the study's authors, "Difficult temperament at five months was the most important predictor of depression and anxiety in the children." Lifetime maternal depression was the second most important predictor.

The study's author concludes that preventive interventions be experimented with for infants at risk of developing depression and anxiety as well as their parents. This could potentially have a positive long-term impact on their mental health.