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Children and adolescents injured in traffic – associated psychological consequences: a literature review
Author(s) -
Olofsson Eva,
Bunketorp Olle,
Andersson AnnaLena
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00998.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , acute stress disorder , distress , psychological distress , psychiatry , traumatic stress , injury prevention , socioeconomic status , poison control , clinical psychology , suicide prevention , occupational safety and health , anxiety disorder , medical emergency , population , environmental health , pathology
Aim: To identify the prevalence of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptoms (PTSS) among children and adolescents injured in traffic, and to assess predictors of such post‐traumatic stress. Methods: Studies identified from electronic databases were reviewed. Results: Based on a review of 12 studies, fulfilling specified criteria, the prevalence of PTSS was estimated at 30% within 1 month and 13% at 3–6 months. The prevalence of PTSD was almost 30% at 1–2 months and decreased to the same level as PTSS at 3–6 months. Perceived threat and high levels of distress, anxiety symptoms and being female were significantly associated with PTSD and PTSS. Injury severity was positively related to the number of PTSD symptoms in one of eight studies. Types of accident, age and socioeconomic status were not related to the development of PTSD/PTSS. Conclusion: Any child will be at risk of PTSD/PTSS, not just those with severe injuries. Trauma care should include procedures that could identify and prevent stress reactions in order to minimize the risk of associated psychological consequences.