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Posttraumatic stress symptoms in children following orthopedic or traumatic brain injury
R B Levi1, D Drotar, K O Yeates
1Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7123, USA.
Insights
Children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) show higher posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms than those with moderate TBI or orthopedic injuries. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions for pediatric TBI survivors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Psychology
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to significant psychological sequelae.
- Posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms are a common concern following TBI in children.
- Understanding the trajectory of PTS symptoms is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms in children after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- To compare PTS symptom levels between children with severe TBI, moderate TBI, and orthopedic injuries (OI).
- To investigate parent and child perspectives on PTS symptoms at 6 and 12 months post-injury.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of children aged 6-12 with TBI (n=81) and OI (n=59) were assessed.
- Data were collected at 6 and 12 months post-injury.
- Parent and child self-reports of PTS symptoms were analyzed, controlling for ethnicity, social disadvantage, and age.
Main Results:
- Parents of children with severe TBI reported higher child PTS symptoms at both follow-ups compared to moderate TBI or OI groups.
- Children with severe TBI reported higher PTS symptoms at 12 months post-injury than moderate TBI or OI groups.
- Clinically significant PTS symptom rates were elevated in the severe TBI group.
Conclusions:
- Severe pediatric TBI is associated with a higher burden of posttraumatic stress symptoms.
- Parent and child reports of PTS symptoms are influenced by injury severity and socioeconomic status.
- Findings underscore the need for tailored clinical interventions for children and families affected by pediatric TBI.
Abstract:
Examined posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms in children following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Children (ages 6-12) with TBI (n = 81) and orthopedic injury (OI; n = 59) were assessed 6 and 12 months postinjury. Parents of children with severe TBI reported higher levels of child PTS symptoms than did parents of children with moderate TBI or OI at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Group differences in child-reported PTS symptoms emerged at the 12-month follow-up with higher symptom levels reported by children with severe TBI than by those with moderate TBI or OI. At both follow-ups, rates of clinically significant symptom levels were higher in the severe TBI group than in the moderate TBI or OI groups. The group differences in parent and child reports were significant even after taking ethnicity, social disadvantage, and age at injury into account. Parent and child reports of child PTS symptoms were related to family socioeconomic status. Implications for clinical intervention with children and families following pediatric TBI are discussed.