Epidemiological research in mental disorders: lessons for the next decade of research--the NAPE Lecture 1999. Nordic Association for Psychiatric Epidemiology

Objective: To provide an overview of the progress in the field of epidemiology of mental disorders during the last decades, and to discuss challenges for the future. Method: Following a review of the achievements of psychiatric epidemiology up to this point, current shortcomings in the research and publications in the field are presented. Suggestions for changes in research and solutions to current deficits are proposed. Results: Future research needs to cover a broader spectrum of psychopathology, including inquiries into sub‐threshold characterizations; explore etiopathogenic processes and pathways including genetic, neuroscientific and psychological factors for the onset and persistence of psychopathology; and provide 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 health by acknowledging the full range of available epidemiological designs and methods, beyond the current emphasis on large‐scale, cross‐sectional general population studies.