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01-04-2009 | ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION

Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: the PrISMA study

Authors: Dr. Alessandra Frigerio, PhD, Paola Rucci, Robert Goodman, MD, Massimo Ammaniti, MD, Ombretta Carlet, MD, Pina Cavolina, MSc, Giovanni De Girolamo, MD, Carlo Lenti, MD, Loredana Lucarelli, MSc, Elisa Mani, MD, Andrea Martinuzzi, MD, Nadia Micali, MD, Annarita Milone, MD, Pierluigi Morosini, MD, Filippo Muratori, MD, Franco Nardocci, MD, Valentina Pastore, MSc, Gabriella Polidori, MD, Andrea Tullini, MD, Laura Vanzin, MSc, Laura Villa, MD, Mauro Walder, MD, Alessandro Zuddas, MD, Massimo Molteni, MD

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 4/2009

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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Title: Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: the PrISMA study
Authors: Dr. Alessandra Frigerio, PhD
Paola Rucci
Robert Goodman, MD
Massimo Ammaniti, MD
Ombretta Carlet, MD
Pina Cavolina, MSc
Giovanni De Girolamo, MD
Carlo Lenti, MD
Loredana Lucarelli, MSc
Elisa Mani, MD
Andrea Martinuzzi, MD
Nadia Micali, MD
Annarita Milone, MD
Pierluigi Morosini, MD
Filippo Muratori, MD
Franco Nardocci, MD
Valentina Pastore, MSc
Gabriella Polidori, MD
Andrea Tullini, MD
Laura Vanzin, MSc
Laura Villa, MD
Mauro Walder, MD
Alessandro Zuddas, MD
Massimo Molteni, MD
Publication date: 01-04-2009
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0720-x

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Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: the PrISMA study

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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