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Introduction: According to recent epidemiological data, the abuse and neglecting of children from their family environment has increased during the past years, resulting in the occurrence of mood disorders and depressive symptoms when adolescents. This has an impact on a person's quality of life while making possible the development of dangerous behaviors. Aim: Is to examine the development of depressive symptoms in adolescence and adulthood as a result of child abuse and neglect. Material and Method: The relevant literature has been searched in the databases of PubMed, Cinahl and ProQuest, with the use and combination of the words «depression or depressive disorder or depressive symptoms», «neglect or abuse or mistreat or maltreat», «young adults or adolescents or teenagers», «family or families or parents or siblings». The present research was conducted in English, in the European and International literature while the chosen chronological period is from 2015 to 2020. PECO has, also, been utilized for the determination of the research question. Results: Reviewing the results of the studies analyzed, it was found that abuse and neglect during childhood are associated with the development of depressive symptoms in adolescence and adulthood. Conclusions: Abuse and neglect not only by the family environment, but in general, appeared to be associated with the development of depressive symptoms in adolescence and adulthood. This leads to the occurrence of several problems not only for the individual but for the community of which he/she forms part of. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]