A Nationwide Epidemiological Study of Mental Disorders in Korea(XVIII): Cross-national Epidemiology of Social Phobia

Lee, Chung Kyoon; Lee, Kyu Hang

Abstract

The nationwide epidemiological study of mental disorders including social phobia in Korea using DIS-III Korean Version was conducted in the Capital City of Korea(Seoul) and 20 rural areas and compaired to the other 3 countries. The results were as follows: 1) Total number of study of Korea was 5.100, USA 18571, Canada 3258 and Puerto Rico 1513. 2) The highest response rate was Puerto Rico and Korea, USA and Canada in order. 3) Female ratio was highest in the USA and Canada, next is Puerto Rico and Korea. 4) The lifetime prevalance of social phobia of the USA was 2.6%, Canada 1.7%, Puerto Rico 1.0% and Korea 0.5%. The Highest ratio was the USA and Canada, Puerto Rico and Korea in male and in female in order. 5) Mean age of onset, Canada was earliest(14.6yrs. old) and USA(15.8), Pueno Rico(19.8) and Korea(24.3). In male the earliest was USA and Canada, Puerto Rico and Korea. Onset of social phobia before onset of other psychiatric disorder, the highest was Puerto Rico and USA Korea and Canada. 6) Comorbidity was the highest in the USA and Canada, Puerto Rico and Korea. 7) The effect of social phobia of the risk of suicide attempts in persons with any other psychiatric disorder, in case of comorbid with social phobia was much more frequent than not comorbid with social phobia. 8) Eating fear in front of people was the highest in the USA and Canada, Korea and Puerto Rico in order. Fear of speaking in front of group was the highest in Puerto Rico and USA Canada and Korea. Fear of speaking to strangers was the highest in Korea and Canada, USA and Puerto Rico.