Prevalence, Persistence, and Severity of 12-month and 30-day DSM-5 Disorders in the Turkish World Mental Health Survey.

Abstract

Objective: No national mental health survey was conducted in Türkiye in the last 30 years. We implemented such a survey in a representative sample of 1.790 adults in the Turkish household population using the World Mental Health Initiative Composite International Diagnostic Interview for DSM-5 (CIDI-5). The current report presents data on 12-month and 30-day prevalence, persistence, severity and sociodemographic correlates of disorders in this Turkish World Mental Health (WMH) Survey.

Methods: Adults in a nationally representative sample of 4.067 Turkish households were selected for interview in October 2019. Fieldwork ended prematurely on March 17, 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. The 1.790 interviews completed as of that date represent a survey cooperation rate of 44.0% and a survey response rate of 25.6%.

Results: The 12-month and 30-day prevalences of any DSM-5/CIDI disorder were 23.9% and 18.3%, respectively. Anxiety disorders (17.2%) were the most common class of disorders followed by mood disorders (12.4%). Most profiles were either severe (32.8%) or moderate (43.8%). Anxiety and mood disorders were more common among females than males, while externalizing disorders were more common among males than females. Overall disorder prevalence was associated with being female, younger age and low education.

Conclusion: Nearly 1 in 4 Turkish adults meet criteria for one or more common 12-month DSM-5 disorders. These results underscore the need for improved mental health services for vulnerable groups and for longitudinal research to understand the mental health effects of stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, forced migration, or the recent earthquakes.