DSM-IV-TR Axes-I and II mental disorders in a representative and referred sample of unemployed youths – Results from a psychiatric liaison service in a job centre

Abstract

Increased levels of anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse are associated with unemployment. This study compares both DSM-IV-TR Axis-I and Axis-II mental disorders between a representative and a referred sample of unemployed youths aged 16.0 to 24.9. One hundred subjects were randomly recruited on the premises of the vocational services centre in the urban region of Essen, Germany (representative sample, RS). One hundred and sixty-five subjects constituting the 'clinical sample' (CS) were preselected and referred by case managers to the on-site psychiatric liaison service. Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV (SCID-I and -II), measures of psychopathology and health service utilization were administered. Ninety-eight percent and 43% of CS and RS subjects fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for mental disorders. Mood-, anxiety- and substance-related disorders were the most common Axis-I disorders in both samples. Personality disorders were diagnosed significantly more frequently in the CS. Despite the more severe psychopathology in subjects with mental disorders from the CS compared to the RS, no differences were found for recent mental health service utilisation. Because the sample of unemployed youths referred by case managers was significantly more disturbed in psychiatric terms, such a pre-selection is deemed useful in conjunction with a psychiatric liaison service on the premise of a job centre.