Amish Study, I: Affective disorders among the Amish, 1976-1980

The authors review the goals, methods, sample, and selected epidemiologic findings from a collaborative study of affective disorders among the Amish, finding this culturally and genetically homogeneous population constitutes an excellent research setting for psychiatric Epidemiologic and genetic study.

Abstract

The authors review the goals, methods, sample, and selected epidemiologic findings from a collaborative study of affective disorders among the Amish. This culturally and genetically homogeneous population (N = 12,500) constitutes an excellent research setting for psychiatric epidemiologic and genetic study. Alcoholism, drug abuse, and sociopathy did not complicate the study because they are culturally prohibited. During 1976-1980, 112 active cases of mental illness were identified; 71% received diagnoses of major affective disorder. Equal numbers of men and women received diagnoses of unipolar illness, and slightly more men than women were diagnosed as having bipolar illness.