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Diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder in preschool children
Alexandra C De Young1, Justin A Kenardy, Vanessa E Cobham
1School of Psychology and Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia. adeyoung@uq.edu.au
Insights
The proposed algorithm for diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in preschoolers is the most developmentally sensitive and valid method. This research supports its inclusion for accurate PTSD diagnosis in young children.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Pediatric Mental Health
Background:
- Accurate diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in preschoolers is challenging.
- Existing diagnostic algorithms require evaluation for developmental sensitivity and validity in this age group.
- Unintentional burn injuries in young children can be a significant traumatic event.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate existing diagnostic algorithms for PTSD in preschoolers.
- To identify the most developmentally sensitive and valid approach for diagnosing PTSD in children aged 1-6 years.
- To assess the utility of the proposed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) algorithm for pediatric PTSD.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 130 parents of unintentionally burned children aged 1-6 years.
- Diagnostic interviews were conducted with parents at 1 and 6 months post-injury.
- Child Behavior Checklist for ages 1.5-5 was administered to assess behavioral symptoms.
Main Results:
- The proposed algorithm for preschool PTSD in the DSM-5 demonstrated the highest developmental sensitivity and validity.
- PTSD diagnosis rates were 25% at 1 month and 10% at 6 months post-injury.
- Criterion A did not show predictive utility in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- The DSM-5 proposed algorithm is a reliable tool for diagnosing PTSD in preschool-aged children.
- Findings support the integration of this specific algorithm into clinical practice for pediatric PTSD assessment.
- Further research may be needed to explore the predictive utility of specific diagnostic criteria.
Abstract:
This study investigated the existing diagnostic algorithms for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to determine the most developmentally sensitive and valid approach for diagnosing this disorder in preschoolers. Participants were 130 parents of unintentionally burned children (1-6 years). Diagnostic interviews were conducted with parents to assess for PTSD in their child at 1 and 6 months postinjury and the Child Behavior Checklist for 1.5-5 was also completed. The proposed algorithm for PTSD in preschool children for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) provided the most developmentally sensitive and valid measure of PTSD. The rate of PTSD diagnosis was 25% at 1 month and 10% at 6 months. The predictive utility of Criterion A was not demonstrated. These findings provide support for the inclusion of the proposed algorithm for PTSD in preschool children.
