Children and adolescents injured in traffic – associated psychological consequences: a literature review

Abstract

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.

Cognitive deficits and posttraumatic stress disorder in children: A diagnostic dilemma illustrated through a case study

“…The potential psychological impact of MVA's on those involved, including witnesses, is difficult to estimate. Olofsson, Bunketorp, and Andersson (2009) found a relatively high prevalence of PTSS following MVA's in the first month (29%) and lower prevalence at 3-6 months (13%) post-accident. The prevalence of PTSD in the first 1 to 2 months and 3 to 6 months post-MVA is comparable (27% and 13% respectively).…”

EMDR in paediatrics and rehabilitation: An effective tool for reduction of stress reactions?

“…Identifying factors that might be associated with severe PMTS reactions is important, since medical events are not by definition traumatic for all children and their families. Whether a medical event is experienced as traumatic is determined by the subjective experience of the event and not so much by objective markers like severity of illness or survival statistics [1][2][3][4][5]. For example, children that experience a lot of pain or perceive the injury or illness as life-threatening have a higher risk of developing chronic and pathological reactions.…”

“…Around 30% of children and parents show severe PMTS reactions in the first month after life-threatening injury or onset of illness, influencing recovery and development negatively. Around 10-15% will remain symptomatic even after 3-6 months [1][2][3][4][5]. Identifying factors that might be associated with severe PMTS reactions is important, since medical events are not by definition traumatic for all children and their families.…”

“…Parents that experience high levels of stress (intense fear) during the hospital period or had mental health problems existing already before also have an increased risk for severe PMTS reactions. In short, the objective severity of the injury or illness is apparently not a strong risk factor for the development of pathological reactions [1][2][3][4][5].…”

Children and adolescents treated for post-traumatic stress disorder at the Free State Psychiatric Complex

“…[10] Exposure to traumatic events is the main causative factor in the development of PTSD. [11] Children and adolescents are increasingly exposed to extreme traumatic events, [12][13][14][15][16] such as hostilities at school, motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence, and physical and sexual abuse, including rape, murder, hijacking, witnessing a violent crime and political violence.…”