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This study examined prospectively the role of parental psychopathology among other predictors in the development and persistence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 57 hospitalized youths aged 7-18 years immediately after a road traffic accident and 1 and 6 months later. Self report questionnaires and semistructured diagnostic interviews were used in all 3 assessments. Neuroendocrine evaluation was performed at the initial assessment. Maternal PTSD symptomatology predicted the development of children's PTSD 1 month after the event, OR = 6.99, 95% CI [1.049, 45.725]; the persistence of PTSD 6 months later was predicted by the child's increased evening salivary cortisol concentrations within 24 hours of the accident, OR = 1.006, 95% CI [1.001, 1.011]. Evaluation of both biological and psychosocial predictors that increase the risk for later development and maintenance of PTSD is important for appropriate early prevention and treatment.

Background The new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has been accompanied by severe psychological pressure on the entire population. However, little is known about how this pandemic could affect the more vulnerable population with severe mental illness. Aims To explore adolescent psychiatric inpatients’ perceptions, emotional reactions and needs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with nine psychiatric inpatients aged 12–17 years. Through open-ended questions, interviewers initiated five themes: (a) knowledge about coronavirus pandemic, (b) changes in everyday routine due to the pandemic, (c) adolescents’ feelings about the pandemic, (d) adolescents’ positive thoughts and behaviors, and (e) how the social environment can help adolescents deal with the pandemic-related situation. A thematic analysis was conducted using line-by-line open coding. Results Regarding their knowledge of the impact of the current pandemic, almost all adolescents focused on information about the nature of coronavirus and on existing crisis management practices. Almost all patients identified predominantly negative changes due to the quarantine state, including restrictions on both social life and personal freedom as well as excessive contact with family members during home isolation. As far as their emotions were concerned, adolescents did acknowledge anxiety about self-harm and harming their loved ones as well as mood swings within the family nucleus; anxiety was also manifested about the unknown and the management of the pandemic in other countries. Avoidance of thought rumination about the coronavirus and its consequences, positive thinking and looking towards the future were reported as constructive strategies for coping with challenging emotions. Additionally, a sense of belongingness seems to have been playing a pivotal role in the adolescents coping strategies. Trust in the authorities and the community was another quite noteworthy point that emerged during the interviews. Lastly, our findings indicated adolescents’ benefit from receiving balanced health messaging coupled with balanced thinking within their social and family environment. Conclusions Enhanced comprehension of possible mediating psychological pathways is needed to help clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers to avert the deterioration of mental disorders and overall functioning, as well as additional stress-related disorders.

Background: The new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has been accompanied by great psychological pressure on the entire population. However, little is known about how this pandemic could affect the more vulnerable population with severe mental illness.Aims: To explore adolescent psychiatric inpatients' perceptions, emotional reactions and needs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with nine psychiatric inpatients aged 12-17 years. Five themes were initiated by interviewers through open-ended questions: (1) knowledge about the coronavirus pandemic, (2) changes in everyday routine, (3) feelings about the pandemic, (4) helpful thoughts and behaviors, and (5) practices of helping adolescents with their difficulties concerning the pandemic. A thematic analysis was conducted using line-by-line open coding.Results: Regarding their knowledge about the impact of the current pandemic, almost all adolescents focused on information about the nature of coronavirus and existing crisis management practices. Nearly all patients identified mainly negative changes due to the quarantine state, such as restrictions on social life and personal freedom, and excessive contact with family members during home isolation. With regard to their feelings, they acknowledged anxiety about harm to self and beloved ones, mood changes within the family nucleus, the unknown, and the management of the pandemic in other countries. Avoiding thought rumination about the coronavirus and its consequences, focusing on the positive, and looking into and towards the future were reported as helpful strategies for coping with difficult feelings. Additionally, a sense of belongingness insofar as they are not alone and share a common experience, seems central to the adolescents' arsenal of coping strategies. Confidence in the authorities and the community was another particularly interesting point that emerged during the interviews. Last, our findings indicated adolescents' benefit from receiving balanced health messaging, in addition to balanced thinking within their social and family environment.Conclusions: Better comprehension of possible mediating psychological pathways is needed in order to help clinicians, researchers and decision-makers develop psychosocial support interventions, to prevent the deterioration of mental disorders and overall functioning, as well as additional stress-related disorders.