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The psychological sequelae of violent injury in a pediatric intervention
Jonathan Purtle1, Erica Harris2, Rachel Compton3
1Department of Health Management & Policy, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA.
Insights
Most pediatric patients in hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) show signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These findings highlight the need for integrated PTSD screening and trauma-focused psychoeducation in pediatric trauma centers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma Care
- Violence Intervention Programs
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Pediatric trauma centers are crucial for preventing violent injuries and their psychological effects.
- Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are increasingly common in the U.S.
- The psychological needs of pediatric HVIP participants are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms in pediatric HVIP participants.
- To assess exposure to community violence among children in HVIPs.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of psychosocial needs assessment data from 48 participants.
- Utilized the Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ) and a modified Survey of Children's Exposure to Community Violence.
- Assessed outcomes including probable PTSD and community violence exposure.
Main Results:
- The study included 62.5% males with a mean age of 14.5 years.
- 23% had sustained a previous violent injury requiring medical care; 47.8% had witnessed a shooting.
- 66% scored at or above the threshold for probable PTSD, with hyperarousal symptoms more prevalent than re-experiencing symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric HVIPs and trauma centers should incorporate PTSD screening.
- Trauma-focused psychoeducation should be integrated into clinical practice and protocols.
- Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions.
Purpose:
Pediatric trauma centers have unique potential to prevent violent injury and its psychological sequelae. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are proliferating across the U.S., but little is known about the psychological needs of pediatric patients who participate in them. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress and exposure to community violence among pediatric HVIP participants.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of psychosocial needs assessment data that were collected for 48 participants. The Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ) and modified Survey of Children's Exposure to Community Violence were used to assess primary outcomes.
Results:
The sample was 62.5% male and had a mean age of 14.5 years. Twenty-three percent reported previously sustaining a violent injury resulting in medical care, and 47.8% had witnessed a shooting. The majority (66.0%) had a CTSQ score at/above the threshold for probable PTSD diagnosis. The mean CTSQ score was 5.9 and hyperarousal (3.3) symptoms were more common than re-experiencing symptoms (2.6).
Conclusion:
Pediatric HVIPs and trauma centers should consider integrating PTSD screening and trauma-focused psychoeducation into the practice and protocols. Future research should evaluate the impacts of these interventions.
