The epidemiology of mental disorders in the adult population of Puerto Rico

A detailed review of the results of psychiatric epidemiological studies car ried out in Puerto Rico in the last decade is presented. The results of the se studies show that contrary to Drier research in this area, the prevalenc e and correlates of psychiatric disorders and symptoms in the Puerto Rican population are not significantly different from those observed in other com munities, in particular in the United States. Exceptions were somatization disorder and symptoms which were found to be significantly more common in P uerto Rico as compared to the U.S. and drug abuse/dependence which was foun d to be considerably less common. The prevalence of a "culturally defined s yndrome" of ataques de nervios and its correlates is also discussed. Interp retations of these results are offered as are implications fur future resea rch.