Seanna E. McMartin|Mila Kingsbury|Jennifer Dykxhoorn|Ian Colman
Time trends in symptoms of mental illness in children and adolescents in Canada
University of Ottawa|University of Ottawa|University of Ottawa|University of Ottawa
existing research media reports convey conflicting impressions trends prevalence mental illness sought investigate trends prevalence symptoms mental illness large populationbased cohort canadian children adolescentswe obtained populationbased data national longitudinal survey children youth every 2 years participants completed selfreported measures mental illness indicators including conduct disorder hyperactivity indirect aggression suicidal behaviour depression anxiety analyzed trends mean scores time using linear regressionwe evaluated 11 725 participants aged 1011 years cycles 1 199495 6 200405 10 574 aged 1213 years cycles 2 199697 7 200607 9835 aged 1415 years cycles 3 199899 8 200809 distribution scores depression anxiety conduct indirect aggression scales remained stable showed small decreases time participants ages mean hyperactivity score increased time participants aged 1011 years change per 2year cycle 016 95 ci 002 012 aged 1213 years 013 95 ci 009 018 time fewer participants aged 1213 years 040 per cycle 95 ci 078 007 aged 1415 years 056 per cycle 95 ci 091 023 reported attempting suicide previous 12 monthswith exception hyperactivity prevalence symptoms mental illness canadian children adolescents remained relatively stable 199495 200809 conflicting reports escalating rates mental illness canada may explained differing methodologies studies increase treatmentseeking behaviour changes diagnostic criteria practices