Quantitated research is information
collected and the production of data via statistics and numbers. The data is
collected through questionnaires, surveys or by manipulating pre-existing
statistical data. For example, calculating the number of people who suffer with
depression, this research can provide a number of manifestations but cannot
provide an explanation to why people are depressed (Skills you need, 2018). Primary
research (field research) is inspected first hand by individuals via surveys,
interviews and observations. Variables of such research should be considered
when addressing the results in particular age groups, sex and number of
participants within a survey. Secondary research (desk research) involves
collection on existing research using primary research sources as a source of
data to analyse. (Research Optimus, 2018)
In order to complete the project
brief a secondary research technique has been applied opposed to primary
research due to the absence of ethics committee within the college. The research
will include looking at journal articles, statistics, legitimate websites and
newspaper articles with further reading. This will then allow analysis and
evaluation of material in attempt to answer the essays question with an
unprejudiced perspective.

23/02/2018
– 05/03/2018

Decided
topic; begun research and finalised essay question with supervisor.

06/03/2018
– 23/03/2018

Continued
research and analysed data.

24/03/2018  – 17/05/2018

Assembled
information into essay format; final meeting with supervisor.  Review work, conclude and evaluate.

18/04/2018

Submit the assignment

Table 1 – Project timeline and Key
activities
The research will focus on six key
areas:
What is depression?Who’s more likely to suffer from
depression?What is the genetic explanation for
depression?What is the biochemical explanation
for depression?What are the psychological
explanations of depression?What are the sociological explanation
of depression?
Information contained within this
essay will not be open to debate as statistics collected are the result of a
worldwide research being high in validity and reliability. Moral judgement,
assumptions and personal opinions is not suitable or necessary for the purpose
of this essay.  This essay will include
conflicting perspectives with the intention to enable the reader to form their
own conclusion. Throughout this essay efforts will be made to assess the
validity and reliability of the information available such as government
statistics highlighted in reputable studies. Health and safety protocol will be
followed during the process of researching and assembling the essay such as
regular breaks to reduce eye strain and upper limb problems. Information will
be referenced accurately ensuring plagiarism is avoided, whilst observing all
ethical and legal obligations at all times.

Depression is one of the most common and serious illness with devastating consequences in its most server form, it is estimated that more than 300 million people suffer with depression worldwide (WHO, 2017) Depression is the most common mental disorders within the UK and reports suggests that it’s hit a record high, increasing by nearly a third in the last four years. The total estimated number of people living with depression worldwide increased by 18.4% between 2005 and 2015 to 32 million according to the World Health Organisation (Families for depression Awareness, 2017). This has prompted urgent calls for the government to ensure better health provisions are put in place, with the need to look deeper into this phenomenon to enable an understanding of the disorder enabling them to overcome it. Research has shown that depression does run in families, which could potentially mean that depression is genetic (inherited condition) NHS (2013). However, families don’t just share genes – they also experience similar environments.

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Depression is a common and serious
mental disorder that negatively effects how we feel, how we act and how we
think (American Psychiatric Association, 2018). Depression is classified as a
mood disorder that has an impact on both physical and mental health, affecting
a large portion of the UK population with around 3 in 100 adults suffering
every year (Mind Org, 2013). An episode of depression serious enough to require
treatments occurs more commonly in 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men at some stage
in their lives (Kalat, 2001). This could just be due to the fact women are more
open to express their concerns and feeling then men are or that women are more
willing/ likely to seek treatment. To meet the criteria for having depression
the sufferer needs to display at least 5 symptoms that are laid out by the
DSM-IV (Diagnostic and statistical Manual of mental health disorders, 2013). World
Health Organisation WHO (2001), marks depression as when “capacity for
enjoyment, interest, reduced concentration and marked tiredness after even
minimum effort is common. The core symptoms of depression would entail
persistent sadness or low moods, loss of interest or pleasure in activities,
disturbed sleep or tiredness, change in appetite, feeling worthless or in
server cases recurrent thoughts of death, excessive feelings of guilt and
hopelessness (NHS, 2016). It’s also common for people with depression to
develop physical symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, chest pains and
hallucinations these are called psychotic symptoms.
Depression is generally divided as
follows; major depressive disorder, dysthymia, Bipolar disorder, Seasonal
affective disorder, premenstrual dysphonic disorder and atypical depression
affecting anyone at any time (Very well mind, 2018). There are many
contributing factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering
depression. These include certain personality traits, traumatic or stressful
events, a history of mental health disorders, history of depression in blood
relatives, abuse of recreational drugs or alcohol, chronic illness and
medication(Kalat, 2001) However, this does not factor in the environmental
factors such as poverty with the affects it has on an individual’s well-being.

There are strong biological links
with those who sufferer with depression, in terms of genes family research-
especially twin and adoption studies shows a genetic link were Individuals may
inherit pre-dispositions to depression or other mood disorders( kalat, 2001). Wender
et al (1986) conducted family correlational research into depression through
adoption study which observed whether genetics or the environment appeared to
be more associated with depression in adopted adults would suffered depression.
Psychiatric evaluations were conducted and the study produced results showing
that the biological parents of the adopted adults were eight times more likely
to have the disorder than the adopted parents. Twin studies are an additional
way of studying if genetic factors are the cause of the pre-dispositioned
disorder. Monozygotic twins (MZ) share 100% of their genes whereas dizygotic
twins (DZ) only share 50%, of the  rate
is the process for assessing the likelihood of one twin having the disorder in
which the other also has to have the same. A significant note that need to be
considered, is in previous research it wasn’t possible to differentiate between
the MZ and DZ twins so statistics may also be incorrect.  Diverse studies have produced fluctuating statistics
but the overall trend pattern was usually the same concluding MZ twins indicated
increased rates in depression in contrast to DZ twins. From these studies environmental
factors cannot be ruled out, MZ twins share comparable environment’s than DZ twins
so influences such as friends and education are more likely to be similar on
both. Even in MZ twins being raised apart their environments may not be that diverse.
Despite the thousands of studies carried out to locate the gene, studies have
failed to identify locus of any significant gene specific to depression (http://www.psychology4a.com/depression.html,
no date). It is however possible for people with no family history to also
develop depression.
A British team of scientists has recently
located a gene that seems to be predominant in multiple family members
suffering with depression, chromosome 3p25-26 was situated in more than 800
families with recurring depression. This study looked at DNA from over 800
families including 971 sibling pairs who had European origin and who were
affected by recurring depression. It also included 118 pairs of siblings with
one affected by depression and the other not. 
Other studies were conducted at the same time as the British researchers
which matched the link between the same chromosome and depression. (Heath line,
2016) However the results could not be applied to those suffering with less
serve depression. This evidence also lacks ecological validity as it cannot be
generalised to the whole population and only represents the European. Research
has also shown that individuals with parents suffering with depression are 3
time more likely to have the disorder.
 Scientists now have confidence in that as many
as 40% of individuals suffering with depression can be linked back to
genetics.  (Health line, 2016)

The biological aspect of depression looks for indications that relate to diagnostic categories of mental disorders with an outlook that a sick body can be restored to health (McLeod, 2014). This theory links depression to imbalances or problems in the brain regarding the neurotransmitters, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Evidence of the imbalances is very difficult to monitor and measure in a person brain. The neurotransmitter serotonin involves the regulation of important physiological (body orientated) functions such as sleep, aggression, mood and sexual behaviours. Research suggests that the decrease in the production of serotonin by the neurons can cause depression in some people but not all. Catecholamine hypothesis was a popular explanation in the 1960s to why people developed depression, suggesting that a deficiency of norepinephrine in certain areas of the brain was responsible for creating depressed moods. (Mental help net, 2007) Autopsy studies support this theory as it shows that individuals who experienced multiple depressive episodes had less norepinephrine neuron than individuals with no history of depression. Conversely, the research outcomes also revealed that not all people who experienced mood change was the reaction to the norepinephrine levels being lower. Modern studies also suggest that decreased levels of serotonin triggers a drop in norepinephrine levels leading to depression.(Harvard medical school,2009)With this explanation or approach anti psychotics have long been established as a fairly cheap, effective and speedy treatment at reducing symptoms for the individual. However, it could be argued that the side effects and addiction caused by these types of medication is a weakness of this approach. Although this approach created psychological treatments for many mental disorders it has neglected the treatment process. Scientists have been testing the chemical imbalance theory validity for over 40 years (approximately) and regardless of thousands of studies been conducted there’s still not one direct supporting evidence proving the theory accurate (Psychology Today, 2017).

The psychological perspective on
depression explores unconscious thinking, possible past traumas and focuses on
aiding the individual to realise their potential and emphasis on social support
and psychological interventions. Freud was the first to offer an explanation on
depression. This theory delivers evidence based explanations for how people
think, behave and feel the way they do (http://www.psychology4a.com/depression.html,
no date).
 The psychodynamic approach regards the source
of mental disorder being the cause of loss or rejection by a parent (McLeod
2015). Although, this does not take in to account current experiences/problems
that the individual may be going through. Supporting evidence of this was Bifulco
et al (1992) studies found that children who lose their mother are more likely
to suffer with depression (http://www.psychology4a.com/depression.html, no
date).
The cognitive- behavioural model has
a strong emphasis on reinforcements (positive or negative) as an explanation
for depression. Beck’s (1976) hypothesised that individuals with negative
thoughts towards themselves or those who have low self-esteem are far more
susceptible to suffer from depression, suggesting that the negative perception
that they held towards themselves was built up through negative experiences.
Beck anticipated that experiences in childhood could lead to a cognitive traid
resulting in the individual suffering with depression. This traid is built up
in three parts in which people hold negative thoughts; the self, the world and
the future. In addition those who suffer with depression or are susceptible to
it magnify the bad experiences and minimise the good (Eysenck, 2012). Weissman and Beck (1978) as cited in
Dobson (2010) supported this theory by using self-schemas to discover out how
people perceived themselves and the world around them. The results showed that
those people with negative self-schemas were far more likely to suffer with depression.
Although, White (1985) agrees that there was enough evidence to suggest that
Beck’s theory was correct although, he suggests it does not show the true connection
of depression and failed to identify that logical errors might be triggered by
biological factors such as chemical imbalance in the brain. Becks theory was
based upon questionnaires, although there are limitations to this form of
information gathering. This questions the reliability of the research as the
participants of the questionnaire can be effected by social desirability
(McLeod, 2015)
Ferster (1973) behavioural theory
suggests that it’s a lack of positive reinforcements is the cause of
depression. For instance a loss of a loved one may cause depression due to the
loss of a positive reinforcement. Lewinsohn (1976) suggested that when others
give the depressed individual attention this reinforces the depressive
behaviour and symptoms. This can also have the reverse effect when there’s a
lack of attention given by family or friends and thus lack of reinforcements,
this can equally exacerbate depressive symptoms. This raises the debate to
whether depression causes negative thinking and perceptions or that the
negative perceptions were the cause of depression. Abreu and Santos (2008,
p.131)

The sociological explanation for
mental health such as depression regards social forces as the most important determinants
of mental disorders, taking a broader view of a psychiatric disorder than any
other model. Regarding an individual’s environment and behaviour as being
fundamentally linked. In some perspective it’s similar to the psychodynamic
model which also sees individuals moulded by external events. However, whereas
the psychodynamic model views depression as highly personalised and
determinants are not immediately recognisable. This model views depression
based on general theories of groups and caused by observable environmental
factors such as poverty, poor neighbour hoods, low education, ethnicity,
divorce and the loss of a loved one WHO (2014). Although short term sadness is
a normal response to these triggers and should not be confused for depression.
People who live in poverty struggle causing them to be in a continuous
stressful state, feeling overwhelmed and inadequate of taking control over
their own lives. Health Ross (2000) as cited in Cockerham, (2008) linked better
quality neighbourhoods with those of a poor disadvantaged neighbourhoods,
the  findings were higher levels of
depression occur in the latter with individuals suffering psychologically due
to their environment (although there were also links to their individualism).
The daily stressors of living in these deprived areas with low income,
unemployment etc. are linked to the symptoms of depression (Haralambos and
Holborn, 2008).
Individual’s living in clean and safe environments displayed lower levels of
depression further supporting that social factors contribute. Individuals
living in poverty become the strongest predictor of depression WHO (2004)
Consideration must also be given to
the possibility that individuals living in communities  with increased employment opportunities are
still being diagnosed with depression as a result of losing their jobs through
suffering with depression rather than not having a job and becoming depressed. This
raises to the question is depression the cause of the environmental factors or
is the environmental factors the cause of depression.
In conclusion, there doesn’t seem
substantial evidence in any one area to state that there is a single source of
depression. Evidence points towards genetics playing 40% role in cause of
depression, especially in cases of family studies. However, it is suggested
that instead of being a direct cause of it makes a person more prone to getting
depression than others.  The behavioural
and cognitive theories have reputable aspects of validity to such that you can
apply findings to real life situations and cases of depression. However it does
have a weakness with both approaches being that either do not consider or recognise
the biological or genetic effects of depression. The research has established
that mental illness is complex and depression is no exclusion, therefore it
cannot have a singular, unpretentious explanation and is a result of a
combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Evaluation of the
available research would suggest that although genetics may have an impact on
depression there is more sound evidence to suggest other factors heavily
contribute.

The introduction of this essay
specified clear figures regarding those suffering with depression within the UK
and women being more susceptible as pose to men. However it could have given
more insight to that particular causes of this issue such as evidence based
studies to suggest why.
The research throughout this essay
was gathered by a wide variety of reliable sources and used the most up-to-date
information as possible. As this essay was limited to secondary research this
restricted access to research on a more personal level such a questionnaires
within the community on families who suffer or have recurring depressive
disorder. Due to the word count set on this essay it restricted more divulge
information on other cause/ explanations for depression. For example
Personality, Gender, Disabilities etc.
The Researched statistics that was
presented in this essay was analysed and evaluated were possible. Links to
genetic theories supported the findings of certain studies which in turn
strengthened the statistics enabling the essay question to be answered.  However there could have been additional
analysis of genetic studies not relating to the MZ twins and DZ twin siblings.
From the supporting evidence and
statistics gathered within this essay the conclusion was able to answer the
essay question giving a figure of 40% of depression is caused through genetics.
It also acknowledges the serious mental health disorder and its complex
problems and cause. Yet it was unable to single out one defining cause of
depression. A more enhanced insight and knowledge was obtained by carrying out
this project in the wider field of depression and its root causes.

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