Prevalence and Incidence of Psychiatric Illness in College Students: a Four Year Prospective Study

In this study, a cohort of college students was analyzed, using behaviorally specific diagnostic criteria over a period of 4 years to obtain data on rates & changes in psychiatric functioning. The 4 year prevalence of psychiatric illness was 39%, with yearly prevalences well within the range reported by other investigators. Depression accounted for over 90% of the diagnoses. Less than one third of those who were judged ill by the authors’ criteria used counselling or psychiatric services. (VM)