Epidemiological research in mental disorders: lessons for the next decade of research - the NAPE Lecture 1999

Objective: To provide an overview of the progress in the field of epidemiol ogy of mental disorders during the last decade, and to discuss challenges f or the future. Method: Following a review of the achievements of psychiatric epidemiology, current shortcomings in the research and publications in the field are dis cussed. Suggestions for changes in research and solutions to current defici ts are proposed. Results: Future research needs to cover a broader spectrum of psychopatholo gy, including inquiries into sub-threshold characterizations; explore etiop athogenic processes and pathways including genetic, neuroscientific and psy chological factors for the onset and persistence of psychopathology; and pr ovide a better assessment of help-seeking behaviors and service utilization . Conclusion: Future epidemiological research should strengthen the emerging collaborative links with the neurosciences, clinical research and public he alth by acknowledging the full range of available epidemiological designs a nd methods, beyond the current emphasis on large-scale, cross-sectional gen eral population studies.