Erschienen in:
01.10.2013 | Original Paper
Prevalence of mental health disorders among low-income African American adolescents
verfasst von:
Gayle R. Byck, John Bolland, Danielle Dick, Alan W. Ashbeck, Brian S. Mustanski
Erschienen in:
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|
Ausgabe 10/2013
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Abstract
Purpose
Data on the prevalence of mental health disorders for low-income, urban African American adolescents are scarce. This study presents data about the burden of mental disorders for this understudied population.
Methods
Mental disorders were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (C-DISC), Youth Self-Report (YSR), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) among a sample of adolescents and their caregivers from very impoverished neighborhoods in a Southern city.
Results
Based on the C-DISC, 3.8, 5.1 and 7.7 % of adolescents met diagnostic criteria for major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and conduct disorder, respectively. There were significant differences among some of the mental health disorders based on adolescent and caregiver characteristics such as sex, school status, caregiver work status, and income level. We found a low prevalence of alcohol, marijuana, and substance abuse and dependence disorders.
Conclusions
Information about the prevalence of mental health disorders in specific communities and populations can assist in addressing unmet needs, planning for services and treatment, and reducing health disparities.