Prevalence of mental disorders among children and adolescents and associated factors: A systematic review

Abstract

objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to identify the most prevalent disorders in childhood and adolescence and associated factors. Methods: Several electronic databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were: population-based epide-miological studies; observational; with validated instruments; published in English, Spanish or Portuguese; and who achieved a score above 12 points as the methodological criteria Checklist for Measuring Quality. Results: The most frequent disorders found by studies, respectively, were: depression, anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorder and conduct disorder. Factors that were associated with different disorders were biological factors, genetic factors and environmental factors. Conclusion: The knowledge of these disorders and their potential risk factors bring the possibility of developing intervention programs focused on prevent or attenuate their effects.