The Prevalence of ADHD, ODD, Depression, and Anxiety in a Community Sample of 4-Year-Olds

• Published in: Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology 2009-05, Vol.38 (3), p.315-328
• Main Authors: Lavigne, John V., LeBailly, Susan A., Hopkins, Joyce, Gouze, Karen R., Binns, Helen J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders - diagnosis; Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Anxiety Disorders - therapy; Anxiety-Depression; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - epidemiology; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - therapy; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Behavior Disorders; Child psychology; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; Community Mental Health Services - utilization; Depression (Psychology); Depression - diagnosis; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - therapy; Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major - therapy; Depressive personality disorders; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children; Dysthymic Disorder - diagnosis; Dysthymic Disorder - epidemiology; Dysthymic Disorder - therapy; Female; Gender Differences; Generalized anxiety disorders; Health Services; Humans; Hyperactivity; Illinois; Incidence; Interview, Psychological; Interviews; Male; Mental depression; Mental Disorders; Mental Health Programs; Parent-Child Relations; Preschool Children; Prevalence; Psychological Patterns; Psychopathology; Questionnaires; Racial Differences; Separation Anxiety; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Urban Areas
• ISSN: 1537-4416; 1537-4424
• DOI: 10.1080/15374410902851382

Few studies have examined the epidemiology of preschoolers' psychopathology. This study included 796 4-year-old children recruited from schools and pediatric practices in a diverse, urban area. Psychiatric disorder was assessed by a structured interview adapted for preschool children and by questionnaire. The most common disorders were oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depressive disorders were reported in less than 1% of the sample. Race/ethnicity differences were not significant. Gender differences showed ADHD-inattentive type more common among boys, with no gender differences for GAD, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, separation anxiety disorder, or ODD at any level of impairment. The overall comorbidity rate was 6.4%. Approximately 3% of individuals receiving a diagnosis had received mental health services.