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Prevalence of Mental Disorder among young adults in Ireland: a population based study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2015

M. E. Harley ,
D. Connor ,
M. C. Clarke ,
I. Kelleher ,
H. Coughlan Open the ORCID record for H. Coughlan [Opens in a new window] ,
F. Lynch ,
C. Fitzpatrick  and
M. Cannon
M. E. Harley*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland St Michael’s House, Ballymun Road, Dublin 9, Ireland
D. Connor
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland
M. C. Clarke
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
I. Kelleher
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
H. Coughlan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
F. Lynch
Affiliation:
Lucena Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Exchange Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
C. Fitzpatrick
Affiliation:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
M. Cannon
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
*
*Address for correspondence: M. E. Harley, Department of Psychaitry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland. (Email: drmichelleharley@gmail.com)
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Abstract

Background

There is a lack of epidemiological research on the mental health of young adults in Ireland.

Objectives

To determine prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a cohort of young Irish adults.

Methods

The Challenging Times study was a landmark study of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adolescents in North Dublin, Ireland: 212 school children aged 12-15 years were recruited through schools and interviewed using the K-SADS semi-structured diagnostic instrument. This cohort was traced again at age 19-24 years (mean age 20.8 years) and interviewed using SCID I & II. Main outcome measures were current and lifetime Axis I and Axis II psychiatric disorders.

Results

Follow-up rate was 80%. Using a weighted population prevalence analysis 19.8% of the cohort had a current mental disorder, 56.0% had a lifetime mental disorder of whom 28.4% had mood disorders, 27.1% had anxiety disorders, 22.7% had substance use disorders; 25.4% had lifetime multi-morbidity. Cluster A personality disorders were found in 2.3%. Lifetime prevalence of binge-drinking was 75.0%, cannabis use 65% and 17% of young adults had fulfilled criteria for an alcohol use disorder at sometime in their life. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal thoughts/behaviour was 21.1%.

Conclusions

Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorder and substance use were high in this sample of young Irish adults. Mental Health service provision for this age group is a priority. Larger studies of nationally representative samples are needed to inform service development.

Keywords

Prevalenceepidemiologymental disordersyouthIreland
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 1: Special Issue: Youth Mental Health , March 2015 , pp. 79 - 91
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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