EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN PEOPLE WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION

There is a general consensus that, for several reasons, people with me ntal retardation are at an increased risk of developing emotional diso rders. Numerous research studies have examined the prevalence of psych iatric disorders among people with mental retardation, and a wide rang e of rates have been reported. Reasons for the variability in these re sults are discussed, including definitional and identification issues, and sampling issues. A summary of representative studies is presented and discussed in light of the above-mentioned issues. The need for up dated epidemiological studies in this area is emphasized.