Year: 2002
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background.We aimed to provide prevalence data on depression and other current mental disorders, impairment, need of psychiatric care and use of mental health services among young adults. Methods.Based on a semi-structured clinical interview, current DSM-IV disorders, impairment, need of psychiatric care and use of mental health services were evaluated in a sample of 20-24-yearold young urban adults (N l 245), mean age 21n8, screened from a baseline population of 706.Onemonth prevalence estimates for disorders were calculated by the double sampling method, using various additional criteria to identify cases.Results.One in four young adults (23n8 %) suffered from a current mental disorder, the most prevalent being depressive (10n8 %), anxiety (6n9 %), substance use (6n2 %) and personality disorders (6n0 %).Prevalence estimates varied substantially according to the use of additional diagnostic criteria.Impairment (GAF 61) together with DSM-IV symptom criteria produced an overall disorder prevalence of 10n3 %, and 5n5 % for depression.Prevalences were higher for females than males, except for alcohol abuse and personality disorders.Current co-morbidity was found in 39 % of subjects with any disorder, and in more than half of those with depression.One-third of subjects with a current disorder reported an associated contact with psychiatric services and 16 % had an ongoing contact.Conclusions.Our findings support the use of additional criteria to produce clinically relevant prevalence data.Co-morbidity should receive special attention due to its amplification of both need for psychiatric care and severity of impairment.Finally, our results show disturbed young adults to be severely undertreated.
Author: Terhi Aalto‐Setälä
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1138669683