Prevalence of major depression in preschool children

Journal article | Zeitschriftenartikel

The prevalence of preschool major depressive disorder (MDD) was studied in the community. The whole population of children between 3 and 6 years attending preschool nurseries in three areas (one urban, one rural and one suburban) in Spain (n = 1,427) were contacted. Selection was by a two-stage procedure. At stage I, the ESDM 3-6, a screening measure for preschool depression, was used to identify a sample for more intensive interviewing. Sensitivity and specificity of the cut-off point of the ESDM 3–6 had been previously tested in a pilot study (n = 229). During the first stage, 222 preschool children (15.6%) were found to be probable depressives, because they scored 27 or more, the cut-off used. At stage II, the children were interviewed and diagnosed by the consensus of two clinicians, blind to the ESDM 3-6 results. DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were used to define caseness. A total of 16 children (1.12%) met the MDD criteria. The prevalence by areas was urban 0.87%, rural 0.88%, suburban 1.43%. Sex distribution prevalence was 1:1. This study is a contribution to the scarce epidemiology of preschool depression in the community.

Object Details

• Extent: Seite(n): 597-604
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Postprint; begutachtet (peer reviewed)

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 18(10)

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Psychologie ; psychologische Diagnostik und Beratung, psychologische Methoden ; psychische Störungen, Behandlung und Prävention

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Domènech-Llaberia, Edelmira ; Viñas, Ferran ; Pla, Esther ; Jané, Maria Claustre ; Mitjavila, Mercè ; Corbella, Teresa ; Canals, Josefa
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Deutschland
• (when): 2009

Further information

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0019-6
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-202726
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Last update: 21.06.2024, 4:26 PM CEST