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Scholastic impairments among traumatized adolescents
P A Saigh1, M Mroueh, J D Bremner
1Graduate School, City University of New York, NY 10036, USA.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show lower academic achievement compared to peers exposed to stress but without PTSD. PTSD, not just stress, is linked to academic deficits in adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Education
Background:
- Exceptional stress exposure can impact adolescent development.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant mental health concern following trauma.
- Academic deficits may arise from various stressors, necessitating specific investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate the academic impact of stress exposure from PTSD in adolescents.
- To investigate whether academic deficits are a direct consequence of PTSD or general stress.
- To analyze the relationship between PTSD diagnosis and academic performance in a traumatized population.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study design involving three groups of Lebanese adolescents.
- Assessment of academic achievement using the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT).
- Inclusion of intelligence measures and IQ as a covariate in data analysis.
Main Results:
- Adolescents diagnosed with PTSD exhibited significantly lower MAT scores.
- No significant academic differences were found between stress-exposed adolescents without PTSD and control groups.
- IQ-adjusted analysis confirmed PTSD as a significant factor in academic deficits.
Conclusions:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), not merely stress exposure, is specifically associated with academic deficits in adolescents.
- Targeted interventions for PTSD may be crucial for improving academic outcomes in affected youth.
- Further research should explore the mechanisms linking PTSD and academic underachievement.
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