Prevelance rates ERQ

What is abnormal psychology?

The study of psychological disorders and maladaptive behaviors.

What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

An affective disorder with symptoms like persistent sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest.

DSM-5 symptoms of MDD

Depressed mood, loss of interest/pleasure, weight change, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness/guilt, concentration difficulties, suicidal thoughts.

What is prevalence?

The proportion of individuals in a population who have a disorder at a given time.

What is the aim of Kessler and Bromet (2013)?

To investigate cross-national differences in lifetime prevalence rates of depression.

Kessler and Bromet (2013) - Participants

Data from 18 countries (10 high-income, 8 low- to middle-income).

Kessler and Bromet (2013) - Procedure

Meta-analysis using structured interviews and standardized DSM-IV criteria for MDD.

Kessler and Bromet (2013) - Results

Lifetime prevalence: 11-15% in high-income countries, 8-12% in low- to middle-income countries; higher rates in women.

Kessler and Bromet (2013) - Conclusion

Depression is a global disorder but rates vary due to sociocultural factors and stigma.

Kessler and Bromet (2013) - Strengths

Large, representative samples; standardized methods improve comparability.

Kessler and Bromet (2013) - Limitations

Cultural differences in symptom expression and reporting; possible underreporting.

What is the aim of Furnham and Malik (1994)?

To investigate cross-cultural beliefs about depression and reporting.

Furnham and Malik (1994) - Participants

152 female subjects: Native British and British Asians from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh.

Furnham and Malik (1994) - Procedure

Quasi-experiment with questionnaires about depression symptoms and beliefs.

Furnham and Malik (1994) - Results

Asian participants saw depression as temporary, less likely to report it; younger Asian women reported more than older ones.

Furnham and Malik (1994) - Conclusion

Cultural beliefs affect symptom reporting; collectivistic cultures may underreport to professionals.

Furnham and Malik (1994) - Strengths

Highlights cultural factors; helps explain underdiagnosis in some groups.

Furnham and Malik (1994) - Limitations

Self-report bias; small, female-only sample; generalizability limited.

Discussion - Kessler and Bromet vs. Furnham and Malik

Kessler and Bromet show global depression prevalence with country differences; Furnham and Malik show cultural beliefs influence reporting and perceived rates.

Why is culture important in prevalence studies?

Cultural stigma and beliefs can lead to underreporting or different symptom expression, affecting measured prevalence.

How does globalization affect cultural differences?

Globalization can reduce cultural differences in reporting as younger generations adopt more individualistic attitudes.

What is the role of stigma in prevalence rates?

Stigma may cause people in some cultures to report symptoms to family rather than professionals, leading to lower official rates.

What is the benefit of integrating both studies?

It helps understand that prevalence differences arise from both real differences in occurrence and differences in reporting, requiring culturally sensitive approaches.

Conclusion summary

Prevalence rates of depression depend on culture, stigma, and diagnostic practices; combining biological and sociocultural perspectives is key.