The environment around a child, namely her family, has the ability to cause depression in children and teens. In the family, abuse almost always causes depressive symptoms in children. Poverty, neglect, and family conflict can also lead to depression. Parenting skills and substance abuse are two other factors.

Abuse

Physical and emotional abuses are horrible events for a child to observe or to have happen to them. Adults who are abused somehow believe they deserve to be treated badly and it is their fault that they are being hurt. If a grownup has that irrational belief, why wouldn't a child?

Unfortunately, what happens is that a child doesn't possess the skills necessary to negate those beliefs, so a pattern of self-worthlessness begins to develop. The child is sure that he doesn't deserve any better. Aside from the lack of self-esteem, a child does not know how to get his emotional and physical needs met, so they simply are not met. It adds up to a very negative sense of one's self and the unit that should have provided unconditional love, the family.

Poverty and Neglect

Poverty and neglect contribute to a child's feelings of insecurity. Not getting enough attention from a parent makes a child feel unloved and unwanted. These emotions lead to fear, uncertainty, and inadequacy. Being bombarded by all of this negativity continues to have an effect on the child, and it's a miracle if he doesn't escape without depression.

Poverty in and of itself does not cause depression. However, if a family is experiencing severe financial troubles, the parents are often obsessed with how they will pay their bills or buy the groceries. This can cause an incredible amount of stress for the parents, and their attentions are not typically focused on their children's emotional needs. They may love their children, but they simply don't have enough physical time and emotional reserves available for their kids.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Substance abuse among parents is also a predictor of depression in children. Many parents overlook the amount of influence they actually have on their kids. Drinking too much or using drugs teaches children that there is a way to cope — and that's by not coping. It's an easy way to medicate and not have to feel. Not giving your child other coping skills leaves them feeling vulnerable, and it's quite easy for depression to creep in.