@article{ref1,
title="Psychological peritraumatic risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents: a meta-analytic review",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2021",
author="Memarzia, Jessica and Walker, Jack and Meiser-Stedman, Richard",
volume="282",
number="",
pages="1036-1047",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Meta-analytic reviews concerning predictors of PTSD in children and adolescents have predominantly identified evidence relating to pre- and post-trauma risk factors; however, there is little evidence regarding peritraumatic risk factors. This paper comprised a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies exploring psychological peritraumatic risk factors for PTSD in youth. <br><br>METHODS: Thirty-two studies were identified. Random effects meta-analyses were undertaken, with meta-regressions to explore the moderating role of study characteristics (gender, sex, timing of assessment after trauma, study quality, design and trauma type) on the size of effect of predictive factors. <br><br>RESULTS: Peritraumatic subjective threat (k = 28; r = 0.37, 95% CI=0.31-0.42) yielded a medium effect size estimate, while dissociation (k = 5; r = 0.17, 95% CI=0.03-0.29) and data-driven processing (feeling muddled or confused during the trauma) (k = 2; r = 0.29, 95% CI=0.14-0.43) yielded smaller population effect size estimates for the relationship with PTSD symptoms. Perceived life threat yielded a medium sized effect (k = 12; r = 0.37, 95% CI=0.32-0.41). The relationship between subjective threat and PTSD symptoms was moderated by the percentage of female participants. Estimates of heterogeneity were high in studies assessing perceived threat and fear (I(2) = 95%), but moderate and low within studies assessing dissociation and data-driven processing (I(2) = 57% and 0%, respectively). LIMITATIONS: Peritraumatic psychological processes were commonly assessed using single-item measures. Studies primarily concerned single-incident traumas, limiting generalisability. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Peritraumatic experiences, particularly relating to subjective threat, are important correlates of subsequent PTSD, which implicates timely assessment of these experiences in youth to inform identification of at-risk groups and implementation and design of intervention.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.016",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.016"
}