Early childhood PTSD and its correlates: a population-based study from Brazil.

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in preschoolers is understudied, particularly in urban settings with high violence and social vulnerability.
• Population-based data on preschooler PTSD prevalence and associated factors are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of PTSD symptomatology in preschoolers and their caregivers in a high-risk urban area.
• To identify factors associated with PTSD in preschoolers, including parental mental health and socioemotional development.

Main Methods:

• Conducted the Brazilian Preschool Mental Health Study in a vulnerable urban area, enrolling 1,292 children and caregivers.
• Utilized standardized interviews (YCPS, PCL-C) for PTSD symptoms, socioemotional development (ASQ: SE-2), and sociodemographic data.
• Employed logistic regression models to analyze associations between variables.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of PTSD symptomatology was 3.8% in children and 3.1% in caregivers.
• Preschooler PTSD strongly associated with parental PTSD (aOR=12.20), impaired socioemotional development (aOR=2.30), and higher socioeconomic status (aOR=1.84).
• Protestant religious affiliation showed a protective effect (aOR=0.75).

Conclusions:

• PTSD is a significant concern for preschoolers exposed to chronic violence, highlighting intergenerational trauma.
• Findings emphasize the critical need for early identification and intervention strategies for both children and caregivers in vulnerable settings.