Anxious and depressive symptoms in adolescents: epidemiological data of a large scale study in Dresden.
OBJECTIVE
The present large scale epidemiological study was designed to assess the prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents.


METHODS
Two cross-sectional studies have been performed in adolescents in Dresden and the results of the examination of 627 high school and 485 secondary school students (mean age 15.5 years) are presented. Self rating procedures like the Beck Depression inventory (BDI) and clinical interviews have been used to enhance validity.


RESULTS
The results underline the high prevalence rates of anxiety and depression in adolescents. Up to 30% of the 9th and 10th grades students suffer from mental disorders or are at risk for the development of mental disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore primary prevention of mental disorders is desirable.
Manz
R
R
Research Association Public Health Saxony, Dresden University of Technology. rmanz@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
Junge
J
J
Margraf
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors