Abstract
Objectives
This is the first study to estimate the prevalence of adjustment disorder (AjD) in the general population. A new conceptualisation
of AjD as a stress response syndrome was applied, which allowed AjD to be assessed directly from its symptom profile, including
intrusive, avoidance and failure-to-adapt symptoms (Maercker et al., Psychopathology 40:135–146, 2007).
of AjD as a stress response syndrome was applied, which allowed AjD to be assessed directly from its symptom profile, including
intrusive, avoidance and failure-to-adapt symptoms (Maercker et al., Psychopathology 40:135–146, 2007).
Methods
Prevalence rates of distressing life events and AjD were estimated from a representative sample of the German general population
(n = 2,512) with a broad age range (14–93 years). A questionnaire including a life events checklist and self-rating questions
that assessed AjD symptoms and symptom duration were personally handed out by an interviewer.
(n = 2,512) with a broad age range (14–93 years). A questionnaire including a life events checklist and self-rating questions
that assessed AjD symptoms and symptom duration were personally handed out by an interviewer.
Results
The prevalence of AjD fulfilling the criterion of clinically significant impairment was 0.9%; a further 1.4% of the sample
was diagnosed with AjD without fulfilling the impairment criterion. In ~72.5% of AjD cases, symptoms had developed 6–24 months
prior to assessment. AjD was most often associated with acute events such as moving or chronic stressors such as serious illness,
conflicts at the respondent’s job or with friends or neighbours (with ~5% conditional probability each).
was diagnosed with AjD without fulfilling the impairment criterion. In ~72.5% of AjD cases, symptoms had developed 6–24 months
prior to assessment. AjD was most often associated with acute events such as moving or chronic stressors such as serious illness,
conflicts at the respondent’s job or with friends or neighbours (with ~5% conditional probability each).
Conclusions
The results correspond with the few other studies that have examined the prevalence of AjD, even though a new conceptualisation
of the disorder was used. Explorative results regarding the duration of AjD syndromes and symptoms call for further redefinition
and empirical investigation of this under-researched mental condition.
of the disorder was used. Explorative results regarding the duration of AjD syndromes and symptoms call for further redefinition
and empirical investigation of this under-researched mental condition.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0493-x
- Authors
- Andreas Maercker, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmuhlestr. 14, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Simon Forstmeier, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmuhlestr. 14, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Laura Pielmaier, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmuhlestr. 14, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Lena Spangenberg, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Elmar Brähler, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Heide Glaesmer, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954