During the hospitalization, the Diagnostic Interview Scale was given to confirm the diagnosis of major depression and to provide the age of onset of depression and the number of previous depressive episodes. Previous hospitalizations, suicidality, and family history of psychiatric illness were recorded for each patient. After discharge, participants were administered a Modified Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression by telephone each month for 12 months. A telephone interview 5-6 years after the hospitalization gathered information on their physical, psychological, and family functioning. Results revealed that 46 percent of the women had a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse before age 16. Women without a history of abuse were 3.7 times more likely to have recovered by 12 months. At the 5- year followup, women with a history of abuse represented 4 of the 10 symptom-free individuals, 6 of the 18 episodic individuals, and 7 of the 9 chronic persons. Results suggested that a history of childhood abuse is a factor to consider in the recovery of females with major depression and that even if the accuracy of the reports is doubted, those reporting it had lower rates of recovery than others. Table and 15 references (Author abstract modified)