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Psychological consequences of road traffic accidents for children and their mothers

B Bryant1, R Mayou, L Wiggs

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford.

Psychological Medicine
|February 26, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Road traffic accidents significantly impact children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Trauma Studies
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited understanding of psychological and behavioral effects of road traffic accidents (RTAs) on children.
  • Need to investigate the outcomes of RTAs for both children and their mothers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the psychological and behavioral outcomes for children following RTAs.
  • To assess the impact of RTAs on the mothers of affected children.

Main Methods:

  • A 1-year prospective cohort study involving children aged 5-16 years treated at an Accident and Emergency Department.
  • Data collection through medical record review, interviews, and self-report at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-accident.

Main Results:

  • Children experienced excellent physical recovery.
  • Significant prevalence of acute stress disorder (15%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 3 months (25%) and 6 months (18%).
  • Frequent travel anxiety reported in children; mothers also experienced common post-traumatic consequences.

Conclusions:

  • A minority of children experienced poor psychological outcomes, with disability, particularly related to travel, being a significant factor.
  • RTAs have considerable family-wide consequences.
  • Clinical care requires enhancement to prevent, identify, and treat psychological distress and disability post-RTA.
Abstract

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