Impact of socio-demographic characteristics on prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Review and research needed

Background: Impact of socio-demographic characteristics on prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Objectives and methods: Based on epidemiological studies published between 1987 and 2004, this review analyzes associations between the prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents and socio-demographic characteristics. Results: The mean period prevalence without considering global psychosocial functioning amounts to 22%; this declines to 16% when deficits in global psychosocial functioning are taken into account. Prevalence rates are higher in males than in females during childhood, and in some studies also in adolescence. Prevalence rates in female adolescents, are higher than in male adolescents. In young adulthood, prevalence rates tend to become more similar again. Some studies tend to show a higher probability of mental disorders in subjects of lower socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Besides the assessment of prevalence rates and their associations with risk factors, future research should focus more on more homogenous standards of assessment.