Citation

Ameratunga SN, Tin Tin S, Coverdale J, Connor J, Norton R. Psychiatr. Serv. 2009; 60(3): 402-404.

Affiliation

Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. s.ameratunga@auckland.ac.nz

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.60.3.402

PMID

19252057

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence of posttraumatic stress among survivors of serious injury-producing car crashes. METHODS: This population-based prospective cohort study, conducted in New Zealand, recruited hospitalized car occupants (passengers and drivers) as well as nonhospitalized drivers after a crash in which at least one occupant was hospitalized. Fifty-nine hospitalized passengers (62%) and 209 drivers (72%) completed five- and 18-month interviews. The Impact of Event Scale assessed symptoms of posttraumatic stress. RESULTS: At five months 28% of hospitalized passengers, 24% of hospitalized drivers, and 24% of nonhospitalized drivers reported symptoms consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder. At 18 months, 23% of hospitalized passengers, 11% of hospitalized drivers, and 7% of nonhospitalized drivers reported significant levels of stress. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to prevent disabling sequelae of crashes must address the needs of hospitalized and nonhospitalized survivors.

Language: en