Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: The PrISMA Study

Frigerio A;Rucci P;Goodman R;Ammaniti M;Carlet O;Cavolina P;De Girolamo G;Lenti C;LUCARELLI, LOREDANA;Mani E;Martinuzzi A;Micali N;Milone A;Morosini P;Muratori F;Nardocci F;Pastore V;Polidori G;Tullini A;Vanzin L;Villa L;Walder M;ZUDDAS, ALESSANDRO;Molteni M.

2009-01-01

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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. © 2009 Steinkopff Verlag Darmstadt.