Prevalence refers to:

Prevalence is a critical concept in epidemiology and psychology that refers specifically to the total number of existing cases of a particular condition or disorder within a specified population at a given point in time. This measure helps in understanding how widespread a particular mental health issue is within a community or population, providing essential data for public health planning and resource allocation.

In the context of abnormal psychology, understanding prevalence allows researchers and clinicians to gauge the impact of mental health disorders, compare them across different populations, and identify trends over time. It differs from incidence, which measures the number of new cases that develop in a certain period. Recognizing the distinction is important for accurately interpreting mental health statistics and addressing public health needs effectively.