Home > Prevalence of mental disorder among young adults in Ireland: a population based study.

Harley, M and Connor, D and Clarke, MC and Kelleher, I and Coughlan, H and Lynch, F and Fitzpatrick, C and Cannon, M (2015) Prevalence of mental disorder among young adults in Ireland: a population based study. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 32, (Special issue 1), pp. 79-91. 10.1017/ipm.2014.88.


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.

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