Parental Memorable Messages about Depression: Implications for Perceived Support, Stigma, Relational Satisfaction, and Treatment-Seeking among Young Adults with Depression.

Using a memorable message framework, we explored the content of parental memorable messages about depression and differences in perceptions of parental social support and stigma, relational satisfaction, and depression treatment-seeking among young adults diagnosed with depression (N= 128) based on message type (i.e., content). Thematic analyses revealed seven prominent categories of parental memorable messages about depression (e.g., We will be there, Depression isn't real). Young adult's perceptions of parental support, stigma, and relational satisfaction differed based on message type, though differences in treatment-seeking based on message type were non-significant. Our findings illuminate the significance of parental communication about depression and how the content of messages about depression are linked to perceptions of parental support, stigma, and relational satisfaction among young adult with depression. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and future directions are also discussed.