Post-traumatic stress in children following motor vehicle accidents.

Author(s)
Keppel-Benson, J.M. Ollendick, T.H. & Benson, M.J.
Year
Abstract

This study examined children's experiences following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Approximately 9 months following the accident, children (n=50) and their parents (n=50) participated in extensive interviews about the accident and in comprehensive, structured diagnostic interviews concerning overall psychological functioning. Additional assessments included post-traumatic stress questionnaires, archival police report records, and emergency treatment medical records. The results showed that of the 50 children, 7 children (14%) met criteria for PTSD diagnosis, and an additional 5 children met criteria for specific phobia(10%) related tot the automobile accident on the strcutured diagnosis interview (DICA-R-C; total of 24%). Degree of physical injury predicted more PTSD symptoms and previous accident experiences predicted fewer symptoms, before and after controlling for other viariables. Holding degree of physical injury and age constant revealed that social support predicted fewer PTSD symptoms. Findings suggest the possible inoculating role of previous accidents and the importance of social support following MVA injury. (A)

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Publication

Library number
C 35665 [electronic version only]
Source

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, Vol. 43 (2002), No. 2, p. 203-212, 47 ref.

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This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.