Peritraumatic reactions and posttraumatic stress symptoms in school-aged children victims of road traffic accident.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the power of self-reported peritraumatic distress and dissociation to predict the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in school-aged children.


METHODS
School-aged children aged 8 to 15 years admitted to an emergency department after a road traffic accident were enrolled (n=103). Participants were assessed with the child versions of the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire within 1 week. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were then assessed at 5 weeks.


RESULTS
A significant association between peritraumatic variables and two measures of PTSD symptoms was demonstrated. However, in a multivariate analysis, peritraumatic distress was the only significant predictor of acute PTSD symptoms (beta=.33, p<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
As has been found in adults, peritraumatic distress is a robust predictor of who will develop PTSD symptoms among school-aged children.
Bui
Eric
E
Laboratoire du Stress Traumatique (LST-JE2511), Université et CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France. bui.e@chu-toulouse.fr
Brunet
Alain
A
Allenou
Charlotte
C
Camassel
Cécile
C
Raynaud
Jean-Philippe
JP
Claudet
Isabelle
I
Fries
Frédéric
F
Cahuzac
Jean-Philippe
JP
Grandjean
Hélène
H
Schmitt
Laurent
L
Birmes
Philippe
P
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*