Depressed children and adolescents can be cranky and miserable.  Their irritability, refusal to take part in usual family activities, and unwillingness to communicate can cause problems for everyone in the family.

Many, although not all, children with depression come from families in which one or both parents are depressed themselves or have a family history of depression or anxiety.

Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of depression.  For instance, having a negative view of life is both a symptom and a cause of depression. Parents may unconsciously teach their children to be pessimistic and then reward them for it by agreeing with their viewpoint. 

The depressed parents’ own symptoms may cause them neglect their children or treat them in a hostile fashion, which can in turn contribute to depression in their children.