Risk Factors for Emotional Distress among Youths Following the Experience of a Traumatic Event

Abstract

Background to the Study Despite the fact that road traffic accidents are notorious for causing marked psychiatric morbidity among most affected persons, most studies focus on its psychological impact in adults. There is a dearth of data concerning the psychological consequences of road traffic accidents in adolescents. Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlates of emotional distress among secondary school pupils after the experience of a road traffic accident close to the school premises, which resulted in the death of some pupils, and severe injuries in others. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 107 adolescents who had heard about or witnessed the road traffic accident, and were selected using total sampling of those who met the inclusion criteria at a secondary school in Lagos, Nigeria. Questionnaires used were, The Rosenberg SelfEsteem Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Emotional Sub-Scale), and a Socio-Demographic Questionnaire. Results The prevalence of emotional distress among the secondary school pupils was 20%. Correlates of emotional distress were; age (OR=0.8, CI=0.63-0.84), junior secondary class (OR=0.1, CI=0.01- 0.49), female gender (OR=3.6, CI=1.2-7.9), and poor self-rated health perception (OR=0.1, CI=0.02-0.4). Conclusion For most people, emotional distress is quite common secondary to exposure to a road traffic accident, children and adolescents have a greater vulnerability to this. Early identification and psychosocial management of emotional problems in youths exposed to such accidents may help prevent the development of enduring mental health problems.