The Epidemiology of Depression Across Cultures
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Discussion
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Implication
Epidemiological review reveals high lifetime prevalence and chronic persistence of major depression globally, highlighting substantial adverse societal and health outcomes.
Key Points
- To review cross-national epidemiological evidence on the prevalence, clinical course, sociodemographic correlates, and societal costs of major depression across diverse global populations.
- Synthesized cross-national epidemiological survey data evaluating lifetime prevalence, age-of-onset, persistence, and demographic associations of major depression.
- Major depression is documented as a prevalent disorder across countries, characterized by wide variation in age-of-onset and high rates of lifelong chronic-recurrent persistence.
- Cross-national data demonstrate consistent associations between major depression and adverse outcomes, including disrupted role transitions, impaired work and marital functioning, elevated risk of secondary disorders, and increased early mortality from physical conditions and suicide.
Cite This Study
Kessler et al. (2013) studied this question.