Relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and the course of whiplash complaints.

Author(s)
Buitenhuis, J. Jong, P.J. de Jaspers, J.P.C. & Groothoff, J.W.
Year
Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (avoidance, reexperiencing, and hyperarousal) and the presence, severity, and duration of neck complaints after motor vehicle accidents. Individuals who had been involved in traffic accidents and had initiated compensation claim procedures with a Dutch insurance company were sent questionnaires (Q1) containing complaint-related questions and the Self-Rating Scale for PTSD. Of the 997 questionnaires that were dispatched, 617 (62%) were returned. Only car accident victims were included in this study (n=240). Complaints were monitored using additional questionnaires that were administered 6 months (Q2) and 12 months (Q3) after the accident. PTSD was related to the presence and severity of concurrent post-whiplash syndrome. More specifically, the intensity of hyperarousal symptoms that were related to PTSD at Q1 was found to have predictive validity for the persistence and severity of post-whiplash syndrome at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Results are consistent with the idea that PTSD hyperarousal symptoms have a detrimental influence on the recovery and severity of whiplash complaints following car accidents. (Author/publisher)

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Publication

Library number
C 38557 [electronic version only]
Source

Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol. 61 (2006), No. 5 (November), p. 681-689, 40 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.