Abstract
Studies on the long-term prevalence of parental posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) following child accidental injury are scarce, and findings on risk factors vary. In this follow-up study (T2, n = 69) we determined the prevalence of parental PTSS 2–4 years after accidental injury of their child, compared with 3 months after the accident (T1, n = 135). Additionally, we examined the association between parental and child factors and PTSS severity. Children were 8–18 years old at the time of the accident. Parent and child PTSS was assessed by self-report. Other data were retrieved from medical records and a telephone interview. Parental PTSS was 9.6% at T1 and 5.8% at T2. Acute parental stress as measured within 2 weeks of the child’s accident was significantly associated with parental PTSS severity (T1 and T2), as was the child’s hospitalization of more than 1 day at T1 and the child’s permanent physical impairment at T2. To prevent adverse long-term psychological consequences we recommend identifying and monitoring parents at risk and offering them timely treatment.
Highlights
Accidental injury in children affects the parents and puts them at risk for developing substantial posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) [1, 2]
From 2008 to 2010, we conducted a study in which we evaluated the Screening Tool for Early Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (STEPP), a screening instrument to determine the risk of PTSD in children aged 8–18 who had been injured due to accidental trauma and in their parents [3]
Our results show that acute parental stress is significantly associated with parental PTSS severity at 3 months and at 2–4 years postinjury
Summary
Accidental injury in children affects the parents and puts them at risk for developing substantial posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) [1, 2]. The prevalence of PTSS in parents 3–6 months after their child’s accidental trauma is 10–15%. In a preceding study, selfreported PTSS was measured in 135 parents, 3 months after their child’s accidental injury. Kassam-Adams et al [1] assessed self-reported PTSD in 251 parents of children with traffic-related injuries. They found partial or full posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 15% of the parents approximately 6 months post-injury. A systematic review on pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) reported a prevalence of parental PMTS ranging from 0 to 18% at 10 months or more post-injury [4]. We only found one study with a 1 and 11 years follow-up
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