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Posttraumatic stress reactions after injury.
1Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology, Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Trauma
|April 1, 2000
Summary
Psychological distress is common after injury, even for those with good pre-injury functioning. Unemployment and prior trauma significantly increase the risk of developing traumatic stress symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Trauma psychology
- Emergency medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychological distress frequently occurs following physical injury.
- The influence of pre-trauma factors on post-injury psychological outcomes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between pre-trauma functioning and acute psychological distress in injury patients.
- To identify predictors of psychological distress in individuals with acute stress reactions post-injury.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, cross-sectional study of 152 patients in accident and emergency departments.
- Utilized psychometric questionnaires including the Impact of Event Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
- Assessed pre-trauma social, occupational, and familial functioning.
Main Results:
- High levels of psychological distress were observed at 3 weeks post-injury, despite high pre-trauma functioning.
- Mean scores indicated significant anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Unemployment and a history of previous trauma were associated with increased traumatic stress symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Acute psychological distress can develop in trauma patients with high pre-trauma functioning.
- Unemployment and prior trauma exposure are significant risk factors for psychological distress.
- Routine injury assessments should incorporate evaluation of psychological well-being.