Background While in the last 5 years several studies have been conducted in Italy on the prevalence of mental disorders in adults, to date no epidemiological study has been targeted on mental disorders in adolescents. Method A two-phase study was conducted on 3,418 participants using the child behavior checklist/6–18 (CBCL) and the development and well-being assessment (DAWBA), a structured interview with verbatim reports reviewed by clinicians. Results The prevalence of CBCL caseness and DSM-IV disorders was 9.8% (CI 8.8–10.8%) and 8.2% (CI 4.2–12.3%), respectively. DSM-IV Emotional disorders were more frequently observed (6.5% CI 2.2–10.8%) than externalizing disorders (1.2% CI 0.2–2.3%). In girls, prevalence estimates increased significantly with age; furthermore, living with a single parent, low level of maternal education, and low family income were associated with a higher likelihood of suffering from emotional or behavioral problems. Conclusions Approximately one in ten adolescents has psychological problems. Teachers and clinicians should focus on boys and girls living with a single parent and/or in disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions
Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: the PrISMA study / A. Frigerio, P. Rucci, R. Goodman, M. Ammaniti, O. Carlet, P. Cavolina, G. De Girolamo, C. Lenti, L. Lucarelli, E. Mani, A. Martinuzzi, N. Micali, A. Milone, P. Morosini, F. Muratori, F. Nardocci, V. Pastore, G. Polidori, A. Tullini, L. Vanzin, L. Villa, M. Walder, A. Zuddas, M. Molteni. - In: EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY. - ISSN 1018-8827. - 18:4(2009 Apr), pp. 217-226. [10.1007/s00787-008-0720-x]
Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: the PrISMA study
C. Lenti;
2009
Abstract
Background While in the last 5 years several studies have been conducted in Italy on the prevalence of mental disorders in adults, to date no epidemiological study has been targeted on mental disorders in adolescents. Method A two-phase study was conducted on 3,418 participants using the child behavior checklist/6–18 (CBCL) and the development and well-being assessment (DAWBA), a structured interview with verbatim reports reviewed by clinicians. Results The prevalence of CBCL caseness and DSM-IV disorders was 9.8% (CI 8.8–10.8%) and 8.2% (CI 4.2–12.3%), respectively. DSM-IV Emotional disorders were more frequently observed (6.5% CI 2.2–10.8%) than externalizing disorders (1.2% CI 0.2–2.3%). In girls, prevalence estimates increased significantly with age; furthermore, living with a single parent, low level of maternal education, and low family income were associated with a higher likelihood of suffering from emotional or behavioral problems. Conclusions Approximately one in ten adolescents has psychological problems. Teachers and clinicians should focus on boys and girls living with a single parent and/or in disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions
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