Mental disorders in Spanish university students: Prevalence, age-of-onset, severe role impairment and mental health treatment.
Cross-sectional
Mental disorders
Role impairment
Treatment
University students
Journal
Journal of affective disorders
ISSN: 1573-2517
Titre abrégé: J Affect Disord
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 7906073
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 08 2020
01 08 2020
Historique:
received:
24
02
2020
revised:
08
04
2020
accepted:
27
04
2020
entrez:
21
6
2020
pubmed:
21
6
2020
medline:
16
2
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The university period carries risk for onset of common mental disorders. Epidemiological knowledge on mental disorders among Spanish university students is limited. To estimate lifetime and 12-month prevalence, persistence and age-of-onset of mental disorders among Spanish first-year university students, as well as associated role impairment and mental health treatment use. First-year university students (N=2,118; 55.4% female; mean age=18.8 years) from five Spanish universities completed a web-based survey, screening possible DSM-IV mental disorders (major depressive episode(MDE), mania/hypomania, generalized anxiety disorder(GAD), panic disorder(PD), alcohol abuse/dependence(AUD), drug abuse/dependence(DUD), and adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)). Role impairment and treatment associated with mental disorders were assessed. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any possible mental disorder was 41.3%(SE=1.08) and 35.7%(SE=1.05), respectively. Persistence (i.e., ratio of 12-month to lifetime prevalence) was 86.4%(SE=1.58). Median age-of-onset was 14 for adult ADHD, 15 for mood disorders and AUD, and 16 for anxiety disorders and DUD. One third (29.2%) of 12-month disorders were associated with role impairment. Twelve-month PD (OR=4.0;95%CI=1.9-8.5) had the highest odds for role impairment. Only 12.6% of students with 12-month disorder received any mental health treatment. Twelve-month treatment was the highest among those students with 12-month GAD (OR=7.4;95%CI=3.7-14.8). The assessment of mental disorders was based on self-reports. Cross-sectional nature of the data prevents causal associations. One third of Spanish university students report a common mental disorder in the past year, and one third of those report severe role impairment. Only one out of eight students with 12-month mental disorders receives mental health treatment.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The university period carries risk for onset of common mental disorders. Epidemiological knowledge on mental disorders among Spanish university students is limited.
AIMS
To estimate lifetime and 12-month prevalence, persistence and age-of-onset of mental disorders among Spanish first-year university students, as well as associated role impairment and mental health treatment use.
METHODS
First-year university students (N=2,118; 55.4% female; mean age=18.8 years) from five Spanish universities completed a web-based survey, screening possible DSM-IV mental disorders (major depressive episode(MDE), mania/hypomania, generalized anxiety disorder(GAD), panic disorder(PD), alcohol abuse/dependence(AUD), drug abuse/dependence(DUD), and adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)). Role impairment and treatment associated with mental disorders were assessed.
RESULTS
Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any possible mental disorder was 41.3%(SE=1.08) and 35.7%(SE=1.05), respectively. Persistence (i.e., ratio of 12-month to lifetime prevalence) was 86.4%(SE=1.58). Median age-of-onset was 14 for adult ADHD, 15 for mood disorders and AUD, and 16 for anxiety disorders and DUD. One third (29.2%) of 12-month disorders were associated with role impairment. Twelve-month PD (OR=4.0;95%CI=1.9-8.5) had the highest odds for role impairment. Only 12.6% of students with 12-month disorder received any mental health treatment. Twelve-month treatment was the highest among those students with 12-month GAD (OR=7.4;95%CI=3.7-14.8).
LIMITATIONS
The assessment of mental disorders was based on self-reports. Cross-sectional nature of the data prevents causal associations.
CONCLUSION
One third of Spanish university students report a common mental disorder in the past year, and one third of those report severe role impairment. Only one out of eight students with 12-month mental disorders receives mental health treatment.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32560960
pii: S0165-0327(20)30627-3
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.04.050
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
604-613Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflict of interest In the past 3 years, Dr. Kessler received support for his epidemiological studies from Sanofi Aventis; was a consultant for Johnson & Johnson Wellness and Prevention, Shire, Takeda; and served on an advisory board for the Johnson & Johnson Services Inc. Lake Nona Life Project. Kessler is a co-owner of DataStat, Inc., a market research firm that carries out healthcare research. Dr. Roca received research funds from Lundbeck and Janssen.