Citation

Nixon RD, Ellis AA, Nehmy TJ, Ball SA. J. Clin. Child Adolesc. Psychol. 2010; 39(4): 588-596.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, Flinders University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15374416.2010.486322

PMID

20589569

Abstract

Three screening methods to predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in children following single-incident trauma were tested. Children and adolescents (N = 90; aged 7-17 years) were assessed within 4 weeks of an injury that led to hospital treatment and followed up 3 and 6 months later. Screening methods were adapted from existing instruments and examined (a) an Australian version of the Screening Tool for Predictors of PTSD (STEPP-AUS), (b) an abbreviated measure of initial PTSD severity, and (c) an abbreviated measure of initial maladaptive trauma-specific beliefs. The STEPP-AUS correctly identified 89% of the children who developed PTSD at 6-month follow-up and the 69% of children who were non-PTSD. Predictive performance of the others instruments was generally poor, and no instrument consistently predicted subclinical levels of depression.

Language: en