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The Psychosocial Needs of Adolescent Males Following Interpersonal Assault
Rachel K Myers1, Laura Vega1, Alison J Culyba2
1Violence Prevention Initiative, Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Purpose:
We examined the self-identified, postassault psychosocial needs of male adolescents to guide recovery and healing after being seen in an emergency department (ED) for a violence-related injury.
Methods:
We analyzed deidentified data from 49 adolescent male adolescents who participated in a postdischarge case management program following a violence-related injury. Descriptive statistics summarized youths' demographic characteristics and self-identified needs and goals for postassault recovery.
Results:
Most participants (80%) were treated for nonpenetrating injuries and discharged from the ED (76%). Nearly two thirds of youth reported clinically significant traumatic stress symptoms and 89% self-identified mental health needs following injury. Legal and educational needs were also commonly identified.
Conclusions:
Despite experiencing minor physical injuries, assault-injured youth report clinically significant traumatic stress symptoms and recognize postinjury mental health needs. Results suggest that youth-focused early intervention services, particularly related to mental health, are acceptable and desired by youth soon after a violent injury.
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