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Secular trends in the mental health of primary school children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Paul McArdle ,
Jonathan Prosser ,
Heather Dickinson  and
Israel Kolvin
Paul McArdle
Affiliation:
Fleming Nuffield Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AE, England
Jonathan Prosser
Affiliation:
The Osborn Centre, Fareham, England
Heather Dickinson
Affiliation:
School of Population and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Israel Kolvin
Affiliation:
Tavistock Centre 1 20 Belsize Lane NW3 5BA, England
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Extract

Over the recent past, reports have argued that there has been a decline in the mental health of children and young people in Western societies. This is said to have occurred gradually over the second half of the last century and possibly longer. This view is based on evidence of a progressively declining peak age for adult type depressive disorders, and an apparent increase in adolescent disturbance such as substance abuse, attempted and completed suicide, perhaps eating disorders, and behaviour disorders. These phenomena have been attributed to the major changes in social values and behaviour, with their impact on child rearing and family life that gathered pace over the course of the last century.

Type
Brief reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , June 2003 , pp. 56 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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