title: Peritraumatic reactions and posttraumatic stress symptoms in school-aged children victims of road traffic accident.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire du Stress Traumatique (LST-JE2511), Université et CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France. bui.e@chu-toulouse.fr
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunet
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allenou
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Camassel
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Raynaud
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Claudet
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fries
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cahuzac
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grandjean
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Birmes
mesh_terms: 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*