Post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents following road traffic accidents

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a persistent and disabling psychiatric disorder. There is little systematic research into the psychiatric consequences of road traffic accidents (RTAs) in children and adolescents. A consecutive sample of 8-16-year-olds attending an accident and emergency...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of psychiatry Vol. 172; no. 5; pp. 443 - 447
Main Authors Mirza, K A, Bhadrinath, B R, Goodyer, I M, Gilmour, C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Cambridge University Press 01.05.1998
Subjects
Accidents
Accidents, Traffic - psychology
Adolescent
Adolescents
Age Distribution
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders
Child
Children
Depressive personality disorders
Emergency medical care
Emergency services
Family Health
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Injury Severity Score
Liaison
Male
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Post traumatic stress disorder
Road accidents
Road traffic
Sex Distribution
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology
Teenagers
Traffic accidents & safety
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Summary:Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a persistent and disabling psychiatric disorder. There is little systematic research into the psychiatric consequences of road traffic accidents (RTAs) in children and adolescents. A consecutive sample of 8-16-year-olds attending an accident and emergency department following RTAs were screened for PTSD. Potential cases and their parent(s) were interviewed with semi-structured research instruments about six weeks and six months after the accident. Fifty-three (45%) of the 119 subjects fell above PTSD cut-off on the Frederick's Reaction Index. Thirty-three (75%) of the 44 cases met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. In half of these other psychiatric disorders were present, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. Being female, involvement in car accidents and pre-existing depression and anxiety were associated with developing PTSD. Seventeen per cent of the sample continued to be symptomatic six months after the accident. PTSD is a common consequence of RTAs. Liaison with accident and emergency departments would enhance the early detection and follow-up of children at risk of developing PTSD.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.172.5.443