Community Surveys of the Prevalence of Childhood Psychiatric Disorders: A Review

16 major community surveys designed to measure the prevalence of emotional and behavioral conditions of childhood are reviewed. The present state of the art of community surveys, including definitions of deviance, instruments, and methodologies used as well as potential correlates of disorders studied, are discussed. Among the directions outlined for further research are to focus on a categorical approach; to study a broad age range of children, including preschoolers; to use, when possible, existing instruments; and to measure correlates of disorder, service use, and invulnerability.