Discuss prevalence rates of one or more disorders.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of prevalence rates of one or more disorders.

The disorder(s) chosen are likely to come from those presented in the guide:

• anxiety disorders
• depressive disorders
• obsessive compulsive disorders
• trauma and stress-related disorders
• eating disorders.

Examples of studies investigating prevalence of specific disorders could include but are not limited to:

• Makino et al.’s (2004) study regarding prevalence of eating disorders in western and non-western countries
• Weisman et al.’s (1995) study regarding cross-cultural variation in data on depression rates
• Marsella et al.‘s (2002) study of depression rates
• Dutton’s (2009) study of cultural variation in prevalence of major depression
• Sartorius et al.’s (1983) study regarding cultural differences in the stigma associated with mental health problems
• Nolen-Hoeksema’s (2001) study of gender rates in depression
• Kessler et al.‘s (1993) study of gender and likelihood of seeking medical help
• Piccinelli and Wilkinson’s (2000) study of gender differences in depression
• Brown and Harris’s (1977) study of factors affecting vulnerability to depression.

Discussion points may include, but are not limited to:

• age and gender differences
• lifestyle (diet, exercise, presence of physical or psychological abuse, relationships,sleep, practising meditation)
• sociocultural context
• social and cultural norms
• availability of mental health treatment
• socioeconomic status.

This was also a popular question. In many cases, this question seemed to be misunderstood or it attracted candidates who tended to provide a response that was of marginal relevance to the questions that appeared in the exam. Weaker responses discussed causes of disorders (most often depression) and gave long discussions on biological, cognitive and sociocultural origins of disorders without linking this to prevalence rates. Stronger responses discussed several types of prevalence rates, chose one disorder (most often depression or eating disorders) and discussed conditions affecting prevalence rates (for example, gender and/or culture, socioeconomic status, and so on).