Predictors of Mental Health Outcomes in Road Traffic Accident Survivors.

Jelena Kovacevic,Ivana Simic,Dunja Degmecic,Dinko Leovic,Maja Miskulin,Aleksandar Vcev,Vladimir Sisljagic,Ivan Miskulin,Hrvoje Palenkic,Ivan Vcev

doi:10.3390/jcm9020309

Abstract

Mental health outcomes of road traffic accidents (RTAs) are always investigated in assessments of those involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological consequences and associated factors in all RTA survivors, irrelevant of their injury status. A cohort of 155 people was assessed one month after experiencing a RTA using self-reported measures for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Associations between mental health outcomes and sociodemographic factors, pre-RTA health status, injury-related factors, and RTA details were analyzed. RTA survivors reported substantial rates of PTSD (32.3%) and depression (17.4%) symptoms, and low rates of anxiety (5.8%). Symptoms of depression were associated with below-average self-perceived economic status, irreligiousness, medication use, psychiatric medication use, and injury-related factors. PTSD symptoms were associated with female gender, below-average self-perceived economic status, previous psychiatric illness, medication use, psychiatric medication use, not being at fault in the relevant RTA, claiming compensation, and injury-related factors. Anxiety symptoms were associated with previous chronic or psychiatric illness, previous permanent pain, psychiatric medication use, and self-perceived threat to life, but not with sustaining injury. Along with the evaluation and treatment of RTA injuries, health care providers should evaluate the pre-RTA health status of all RTA victims. Psychological support to those at risk may prevent psychological disorders after RTAs.

Highlights

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that up to 50 million people worldwide sustain nonfatal injuries in road traffic accidents (RTAs) every year [1]
Concerning religion, 89.7% reported that they practiced a faith; 51.6% reported using medications, 3.2% reported using psychiatric medications, 40.6% reported using nonpsychiatric medications, and 7.7% reported using both types of medications; 41.3% of participants had previous RTA experience and 52.9% had previous traumatic experience
This study explored the psychological consequences of experiencing a RTA among survivors sustaining injuries and those without injuries

Summary

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that up to 50 million people worldwide sustain nonfatal injuries in road traffic accidents (RTAs) every year [1]. RTAs significantly contribute to the global burden of disease, being the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the world [2]. In 2018 in Croatia, 317 people died and 13989 were injured in RTAs [4]. Around 80% of RTA victims in Croatia sustain minor injuries and 5% of the heavily injured become permanently disabled [5]. Nonfatal consequences of RTAs have numerous dimensions, e.g., functional impairment, cognitive dysfunction, psychological suffering, and the loss of quality of life of the victims and their families [6]. Studies have shown that RTA survivors do not fully recover, even years after the RTA [18,22]

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