[Short-term psychological consequences of car accidents: an empirical study].
OBJECTIVE
Aim of this study is to investigate short-term (3 and 5 months) psychological consequences of severe motor-vehicle accidents.


METHODS
The sample under investigation is composed of two groups: 8 survivors of severe motor-vehicle accidents with spinal cord injuries (SCI) hospitalized in a Spinal Cord Unit, and 6 survivors who did not require hospitalization. All subjects were assessed twice, three and five months after the accident, on a variety of measures including the CAPS and the BDI-SF.


RESULTS
Prevalence of PTSD in the total sample was, 3 months after the accident, 14% with no significant differences between the two groups; some peculiarities in the symptomathological profile emerged as much as subjects with SCI experience avoidance of trauma-related stimuli more frequently. An overall decline in frequency and severity of post-traumatic symptoms between the two assessments was observed in the total sample, though some components (Criterion C symptoms) showed no relevant variations over time. Finally, depressive symptoms, which were characterized by higher severity in the SCI group, showed a significant decline between the two assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data, although based on a limited sample, might help in tailoring psychological interventions for prevention and treatment of PTSD in survivors of severe motor accidents.
Prunas
Antonio
A
Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Milano. antonio.prunas@unimib.it
Iavarone
Valentina
V
Fiorletta
Angela
A
Madeddu
Fabio
F
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult