Seasonal variations in internalizing, externalizing, and substance use disorders in youth

摘要: Seasonal variations were assessed in symptoms of internalizing (anxiety and mood), externalizing (attention-deficit/hyperactivity oppositional defiant disorders), substance use disorders youth. This study is based on secondary data analysis two NIMH-funded epidemiologic-services studies: (a) Alternative Service Use Patterns by Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (N=936, ages 9-17); (b) Methods for the Epidemiology Child Adolescent Mental Disorders (N=1285, 9-17). psychiatric diagnoses measured Diagnostic Interview Schedule Children. Variables that indicate site interview service system, as well age, gender, ethnicity, used covariates. Significant annual found symptom counts overanxious disorder, obsessive-compulsive separation anxiety social phobia, major depressive estimated nadir August-October. There may be weak seasonal attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder August, August-September, marijuana zenith August-September. seasonality alcohol, other use, agoraphobia, panic was not found. an instrument-specific bias nadir. Real nadirs up to 3 months prior specified above. Findings suggest should considered when assessment instruments childhood are developed, epidemiological clinical collected analyzed.