title: Predicting pediatric posttraumatic stress disorder after road traffic accidents: the role of parental psychopathology.
abstract: This study examined prospectively the role of parental psychopathology among other predictors in the development and persistence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 57 hospitalized youths aged 7-18 years immediately after a road traffic accident and 1 and 6 months later. Self report questionnaires and semistructured diagnostic interviews were used in all 3 assessments. Neuroendocrine evaluation was performed at the initial assessment. Maternal PTSD symptomatology predicted the development of children's PTSD 1 month after the event, OR = 6.99, 95% CI [1.049, 45.725]; the persistence of PTSD 6 months later was predicted by the child's increased evening salivary cortisol concentrations within 24 hours of the accident, OR = 1.006, 95% CI [1.001, 1.011]. Evaluation of both biological and psychosocial predictors that increase the risk for later development and maintenance of PTSD is important for appropriate early prevention and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. gkolaitis@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kolaitis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulos
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liakopoulou
authors.forename: Panagiota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pervanidou
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charitaki
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mihas
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferentinos
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papassotiriou
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsiantis
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*