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

Daniel Zandoná-Santos1, Marcos V V Ribeiro1, Marcelo F Melo1

  • 1Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|January 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects preschoolers in high-violence areas, linked to parental PTSD and developmental issues. Early intervention for children and caregivers is crucial in vulnerable communities.

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.

Keywords:
Child developmentExposure to violenceLow- and middle-income countries (LMICs)Parental PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorderPreschool PTSDSocioemotional development

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