title: Screening and predicting posttraumatic stress and depression in children following single-incident trauma.
abstract: Three screening methods to predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in children following single-incident trauma were tested. Children and adolescents (N = 90; aged 7-17 years) were assessed within 4 weeks of an injury that led to hospital treatment and followed up 3 and 6 months later. Screening methods were adapted from existing instruments and examined (a) an Australian version of the Screening Tool for Predictors of PTSD (STEPP-AUS), (b) an abbreviated measure of initial PTSD severity, and (c) an abbreviated measure of initial maladaptive trauma-specific beliefs. The STEPP-AUS correctly identified 89% of the children who developed PTSD at 6-month follow-up and the 69% of children who were non-PTSD. Predictive performance of the others instruments was generally poor, and no instrument consistently predicted subclinical levels of depression.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. reg.nixon@flinders.edu.au
authors.forename: Reginald D V
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.forename: Alicia A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nehmy
authors.forename: Shelley-Anne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012372:ROC Curve; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires