Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Children Involved in Traffic Accidents and Their Parents in Japan

Abstract

Background: Children who survive traffic accidents, and their parents, may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or related symptoms (depression or anxiety), which can hinder the children's development and the parents' ability to provide effective care. In Japan, the PTSD incidence rate following traffic accidents and its related factors remain unclarified. Method: Participants were 79 children and 104 parents. The children were aged 3-18 years when injured. From August-December 2015, participants completed a self-reported questionnaire survey that comprised the 15-item Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms for Children and the Japanese version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. The children's Injury Severity Score (ISS) was also obtained from their medical records. Correlations, analyses of variance, and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results: Among the children and the parents, 10.2% and 22.1% were deemed to be at high risk of PTSD, respectively. Their stress scores were significantly positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with children's age at the time of the accident. Parents who witnessed their children's accidents and those whose children were hospitalized were more stressed. Neither the children's nor the parents' risk for PTSD was associated with the ISS and the amount of time since the accident. 4 Conclusions: A system that simultaneously works with children and parents, to support both parties' psychological recovery is required. To ensure psychological care post-injury, it is necessary to evaluate PTSD risk, regardless of injury severity. Implementing preventive and early interventions can prove more valuable than awaiting natural recovery.

What Are the Predictors of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Road Traffic Accident Survivors

“…Accordingly, female participants were more susceptible to being diagnosed with PTSD (Blanchard et al, 1996b; Chossegros et al, 2011; Daddah et al, 2022; Dougall et al, 2001; Ehlers et al, 1998; Fujita and Nishida, 2008; Irish et al, 2008, 2011; Kessler et al, 2021; Khodadadi-Hassankiadeh et al, 2017b; Li et al, 2021; Mayou et al, 2002; Nishi et al, 2013; Ryb et al, 2009; Stallard and Smith, 2007; Ursano et al, 1999a; Williams et al, 2015; Yaşan et al, 2009; Yohannes et al, 2018). However, nonsignificant results were more prominent than significant results (Bedaso et al, 2020; Coronas et al, 2008, 2011; Dougall et al, 2001; Ehlers et al, 1998; Freedman et al, 2002; Fuglsang et al, 2004; Fujita and Nishida, 2008; Huh et al, 2017; Irish et al, 2008; Kassam-Adams et al, 2009; Keppel-Benson et al, 2002; Kovacevic et al, 2021; Kupchik et al, 2007; Landolt et al, 2005; Lee et al, 2021; Matsuoka et al, 2008; Naim et al, 2014; Pervanidou et al, 2007; Pires and Maia, 2013; Ryb et al, 2009; Stallard et al, 2001; Ursano et al, 1999a; Vaiva et al, 2003; Yaşan et al, 2009; Yoshino et al, 2022). In addition, the time interval from RTA to PTSD diagnosis in studies with sex as a significant predictor varied between 4 weeks and 3 years.…”

“…Accident severity was also a predictor of PTSD (Frommberger et al, 1998; Khodadadi-Hassankiadeh et al 2017a; Kovacevic et al, 2021). The assessment time point of injury severity was between 1 week and 22 months for significant predictors and 1 month and 3 years for nonsignificant results (Bryant and Harvey, 1995; Bryant et al, 2000; Coronas et al, 2011; de Vries et al, 1999; Dougall et al, 2001; Ehlers et al, 1998; Fuglsang et al, 2004; Fujita and Nishida, 2008; Holeva et al, 2001; Jeavons, 2000; Kassam-Adams et al, 2009; Kupchik et al, 2007; Landolt et al, 2005; Matsuoka et al, 2008; Mayou et al, 2002; Murray et al, 2002; Ryb et al, 2009; Yoshino et al, 2022). In most studies, the high injury severity predicted PTSD in 1 to 22 months (Blanchard et al, 1996b; Chossegros et al, 2011; Coronas et al, 2011; Frommberger et al, 1998; Hamanaka et al, 2006; Keppel-Benson et al, 2002; Stallard and Smith, 2007).…”

“…Hospitalization after the RTA was another factor that showed significant associations with PTSD after 1 week to 1 year (Daddah et al, 2022; Frommberger et al, 1998; Jeavons, 2000; Kovacevic et al, 2021; Yoshino et al, 2022). However, in a time point from 3 months extended to 3 years after RTA, hospitalization was not predicting PTSD anymore (Blanchard et al, 1996b; Bryant et al, 2000; Ehlers et al, 1998).…”

Impacto emocional dos acidentes de trânsito em crianças: uma revisão sistemática

“…Entre as sequelas emocionais presentes em crianças vítimas de acidente de trânsito estão as fobias, o Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático (TEPT), ansiedade e alguns problemas comportamentais (YOSHINO et al, 2022).…”