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

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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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scientific Institute ‘E. Medea’, Via Don Luigi Monza, 20, 23842, Bosiso Parini, LC, Italy

    Alessandra Frigerio PhD, Elisa Mani MD, Valentina Pastore MSc, Laura Vanzin MSc, Laura Villa MD & Massimo Molteni MD

  2. DPNFB, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Paola Rucci (DStat)

  3. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Paola Rucci (DStat)

  4. Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London, UK

    Robert Goodman MD & Nadia Micali MD

  5. Dipartimentio di Psicologia Dinamica e Clinica, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

    Massimo Ammaniti MD & Loredana Lucarelli MSc

  6. Scientific Institute ‘E. Medea’, Conegliano, TV, Italy

    Ombretta Carlet MD & Andrea Martinuzzi MD

  7. Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    Pina Cavolina MSc & Alessandro Zuddas MD

  8. Department of Mental Health, Azienda USL, Bologna, Italy

    Giovanni De Girolamo MD

  9. University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Carlo Lenti MD & Mauro Walder MD

  10. Scientific Institute ‘Stella Maris’, Pisa, Italy

    Annarita Milone MD & Filippo Muratori MD

  11. National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy

    Pierluigi Morosini MD & Gabriella Polidori MD

  12. Department of Mental Health, Azienda ASL, Rimini, Italy

    Franco Nardocci MD & Andrea Tullini MD

Authors
  1. Alessandra Frigerio PhD
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  2. Paola Rucci
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  4. Massimo Ammaniti MD
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  6. Pina Cavolina MSc
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  7. Giovanni De Girolamo MD
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  8. Carlo Lenti MD
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  14. Pierluigi Morosini MD
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  17. Valentina Pastore MSc
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  18. Gabriella Polidori MD
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  20. Laura Vanzin MSc
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  21. Laura Villa MD
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  22. Mauro Walder MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alessandra Frigerio PhD.

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Frigerio, A., Rucci, P., Goodman, R. et al. Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: the PrISMA study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 18, 217–226 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0720-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0720-x

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