Psychological consequences of road traffic accidents for children and their mothers

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. BRYANT ◽  
R. MAYOU ◽  
L. WIGGS ◽  
A. EHLERS ◽  
G. STORES
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Road Traffic Accidents ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Outcome ◽  
Post Traumatic

Background. Little is known about the psychological and behavioural consequences of road traffic accidents for children. The study aimed to determine the outcome of road traffic accidents on children and their mothers.Method. A 1-year cohort study of consecutive child attenders aged 5–16 years at an Accident and Emergency Department. Data were extracted from medical notes and from interview and self-report at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.Results. The children had an excellent physical outcome. Fifteen per cent suffered acute stress disorder; 25% suffered post-traumatic stress disorder at 3 months and 18% at 6 months. Travel anxiety was frequent. Post-traumatic consequences for mothers were common.Conclusion. Psychological outcome was poor for a minority of children and associated with disability, especially for travel. There were significant family consequences. There is a need for changes in clinical care to prevent, identify and treat distressing and disabling problems.

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

1998 ◽  
Vol 172 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. H. Mirza ◽  
B. R. Bhadrinath ◽  
Ian M. Goodyer ◽  
Carol Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Road Traffic Accidents ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Accident And Emergency ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundPost-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.MethodA 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.ResultsFifty-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.ConclusionsPTSD 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.

scholarly journals Prior sleep problems and adverse post-traumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae of motor vehicle collision in the AURORA study

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C Neylan ◽  
Ronald C Kessler ◽  
Kerry J Ressler ◽  
Gari Clifford ◽  
Francesca L Beaudoin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Population Attributable Risk ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Peritraumatic Distress

Abstract Study Objectives Many patients in Emergency Departments (EDs) after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive episode (MDE). This report from the AURORA study focuses on associations of pre-MVC sleep problems with these outcomes 8 weeks after MVC mediated through peritraumatic distress and dissociation and 2-week outcomes. Methods A total of 666 AURORA patients completed self-report assessments in the ED and at 2 and 8 weeks after MVC. Peritraumatic distress, peritraumatic dissociation, and pre-MVC sleep characteristics (insomnia, nightmares, daytime sleepiness, and sleep duration in the 30 days before the MVC, trait sleep stress reactivity) were assessed retrospectively in the ED. The survey assessed acute stress disorder (ASD) and MDE at 2 weeks and at 8 weeks assessed PTSD and MDE (past 30 days). Control variables included demographics, MVC characteristics, and retrospective reports about PTSD and MDE in the 30 days before the MVC. Results Prevalence estimates were 41.0% for 2-week ASD, 42.0% for 8-week PTSD, 30.5% for 2-week MDE, and 27.2% for 8-week MDE. Pre-MVC nightmares and sleep stress reactivity predicted 8-week PTSD (mediated through 2-week ASD) and MDE (mediated through the transition between 2-week and 8-week MDE). Pre-MVC insomnia predicted 8-week PTSD (mediated through 2-week ASD). Estimates of population attributable risk suggest that blocking effects of sleep disturbance might reduce prevalence of 8-week PTSD and MDE by as much as one-third. Conclusions Targeting disturbed sleep in the immediate aftermath of MVC might be one effective way of reducing MVC-related PTSD and MDE.

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