Citation

van Meijel EPM, Gigengack MR, Verlinden E, van der Steeg AFW, Goslings JC, Bloemers FW, Luitse JSK, Boer F, Grootenhuis MA, Lindauer RJL. Child Psychiatry Hum. Dev. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

de Bascule, Academic Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10578-019-00924-2

PMID

31494749

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.

Language: en

Keywords

Accident; Children and adolescents; Injury; Parent; Posttraumatic stress