Peritraumatic reactions and posttraumatic stress symptoms in school-aged children victims of road traffic accident
Received 2 December 2009; accepted 21 January 2010. published online 02 March 2010.
Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study is to investigate the power of self-reported peritraumatic distress and dissociation to predict the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in school-aged children.
Methods
School-aged children aged 8 to 15 years admitted to an emergency department after a road traffic accident were enrolled (n=103). Participants were assessed with the child versions of the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire within 1 week. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were then assessed at 5 weeks.
Results
A significant association between peritraumatic variables and two measures of PTSD symptoms was demonstrated. However, in a multivariate analysis, peritraumatic distress was the only significant predictor of acute PTSD symptoms (β=.33, p<.05).
Conclusions
As has been found in adults, peritraumatic distress is a robust predictor of who will develop PTSD symptoms among school-aged children.
aLaboratoire du Stress Traumatique (LST-JE2511), Université et CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
bDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada QC H3A 1A1
cUnité des urgences pédiatriques, Hôpital des Enfants, CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
dService de réanimation pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
eService chirurgie orthopédique, traumatologique et plastique, Hôpital des Enfants, CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
fInserm U558 Département d'épidémiologie, économie de la santé et santé communautaire, 31073 Toulouse, France
Corresponding author. Laboratoire du Stress Traumatique, CHU de Toulouse, Hôpital Casselardit Psychiatrie, 170 avenue de Casselardit, 31059 Toulouse, France.
ABSTRACT