The manifestation of post-traumatic stress in children and young persons aged 7-14 years and implications for PTSD diagnosis

Abstract

Each year, millions of children are exposed to potentially traumatic events world-wide.

The differential impact of the DSM-5 post-traumatic stress symptoms on functional impairment in traumatized children and adolescents

“…It seems reasonable that these symptoms can interfere with relationships, as individuals exhibiting these symptoms may be reluctant to engage in activities, they previously enjoyed [28]. In contrast to the results of the present study, Carrion et al [7] and Vibhakar [35] found that re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance, and hyperarousal beyond concentration problems predict impairment. Avoidance might be specific to accidental trauma, whereas dysfunctional cognitions and negative emotions may play a more salient role in children and adolescents exposed to interpersonal trauma [6].…”

“…Further, the strong association between concentration problems and functioning is consistent with findings in the adult literature [9,18]. Moreover, and consistent with Vibhakar [35], irritability showed also a strong link to overall functional impairment in the present study's US sample. This association has also been found in depressed children and adolescents [31].…”

“…Overall, these findings suggest that the PTSS that are not trauma-specific have the most impact on impairment. The most consistent finding from the present study and Vibhakar [35] and Carrion et al [7] is the strong association between diminished interest in activities and concentration problems and overall functional impairment. Withdrawal, whether PTSD-or depression-related, may lead to a number of social consequences such as impaired communication, reduced opportunities to experience positive emotions [11], decreased participation in activities of importance in peer relationships, school attendance, and isolation.…”

“…To date, only two studies of children and adolescents explored the associations between PTSD symptoms and functional impairment. Vibhakar [35] investigated the relationship between distinct PTSD symptoms and overall functional impairment in a sample of non-mental health treatment referred pre-adolescents and adolescents following an accident or unintentional injury. In the pre-adolescent group (7-11 years), the odds for functional impairment were increased in children exhibiting psychological cue reactivity, physiological cue reactivity, avoidance of thoughts/feelings, irritability, concentration problems, or hypervigilance.…”

Development of an international data repository and research resource: the Prospective studies of Acute Child Trauma and Recovery (PACT/R) Data Archive

“…The utility of this research resource is already in evidence. To date, the PACT/R Archive has fulfilled data requests from investigators in North America, Europe, and Australia, resulting in two peer-reviewed publications (Kassam-Adams et al, 2012; Lenferink et al, 2020), others in preparation or under review, and two completed doctoral theses (Vibhakar, 2018;Walker, 2018). These projects demonstrate the potential impact of this growing set of accessible, harmonized child trauma data to enable novel analyses utilizing large sample sizes.…”