The Dresden Predictor Study of anxiety and depression: objectives, design, and methods.
OBJECTIVE
The present report describes the objectives, design, and methods of the Dresden Predictor Study (DPS) of anxiety and depression, a prospective epidemiological study investigating anxiety disorders and depression in 3,065 young German women (18-25 years of age).


METHODS
The DPS consists of a baseline and one follow-up investigation separated by approximately 17 months. At both time points, respondents were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) using an extended German version of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS-IV-L). In addition to diagnostic assessment, respondents completed a battery of self-report questionnaires that provided detailed information about potential predictors of disorders and a comprehensive dimensional assessment of psychopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Results on both response bias in the baseline investigation and effects of dropout at follow-up are presented, and strengths and limitations of the study design are discussed.
Trumpf
Julia
J
Faculty of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland. julia.trumpf@unibas.ch
Vriends
Noortje
N
Meyer
Andrea H
AH
Becker
Eni S
ES
Neumer
Simon-Peter
SP
Margraf
Jürgen
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires