The epidemiology of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: the Epicpat-T study

Objectives: Determining the nationwide facts and figures about the distribution of psychopathologies among children is crucial for effective planning of strategies against these disorders. Because there is no nationwide data on these disorders in Turkey, this study aimed to evaluate a nationally representative sample group of Turkish primary school-age children via semistructured interviews and using multiple informants (i.e., teachers and primary caregivers), along with consideration of impairment criterion. Methods: This study was planned by the Turkish Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health to evaluate the prevalence of psychopathology among elementary school students in Turkey in a representative sample group of randomly assigned 5,482 children. Parent and teacher reports, including a sociodemographic form, Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children—Present and Lifetime Version, DSM-IV-based Screening Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents, and Impairment Scale, were assessed.