Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
The traumatic impact of motor vehicle accidents in high school students
Marlies Tierens1, Sarah Bal, Geert Crombez
1Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Research Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. Marlies.Tierens@UGent.be
Objectives:
To obtain the year prevalence of nonfatal motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in adolescents, to describe trauma symptoms (posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, dissociation), and to test a theoretical model of traumatic events.
Methods:
A community-based sample of 3,007 adolescents (mean age: 14.6 years) completed questionnaires regarding MVAs, appraisals, coping, support, and trauma symptoms.
Results:
Three percent of the adolescents reported being injured in a MVA during the past year. Of the adolescents who reported a MVA in their life (22.4%), 11.0% reported significant posttraumatic stress or other trauma symptoms. Structural equation modeling revealed that negative appraisals mediated the relation between trauma symptoms and MVA severity. Avoidant coping partially mediated the relation between appraisal and trauma symptoms. Social support was associated with less negative appraisals and with more avoidant coping.
Conclusions:
Results suggest the need for a better registration of young traffic victims to optimize screening for psychological problems.
Related Concept Videos
Traumatic Memory
Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
Bullying
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
