Citation

Andersson AL, Dahlback LO, Bunketorp OB. Injury 2005; 36(8): 917-926.

Affiliation

Kuratorsavdelningen, Department of Geriatrics and Rehabilitation, Uddevalla Hospital, NU Hospital Organization, S-45180 Uddevalla, Sweden; The Traffic Injury Register, Department of Orthopaedics, SU/Östra, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, S-416

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2004.09.019

PMID

15998512

Abstract

PURPOSE:: To assess the psychosocial consequences of traffic accidents, and to evaluate the effect of an intervention programme to reduce the occurrence and extent of psychosocial residual states. MATERIAL AND METHODS:: A telephone interview was conducted with 314 individuals, 1(1/2)-2 years after the accident in 1994-1995. The effect of the intervention programme was studied for inpatients, 68 in the study group, and 89 in the control group. The structured follow-up form included the Impact of Event Scale (IES). RESULTS:: Half of those injured had residual physical complaints with negative effects on their work- and economic-situation. An influence on housing or the need for practical assistance was reported by 1-7%. Mental effects were reported by 4/5. IES demonstrated that 1/5 suffered a high degree of intrusion, and this occurred twice as often among females as among males. Situational anxiety occurred more often in the intervention group than in the control group, p=0.02. More individuals in the intervention group than in the control group were satisfied with the medical certificate to the insurance company, p=0.058. CONCLUSIONS:: Females were afflicted by mental effects considerably more than males. The intervention programme did not appear to reduce the psychosocial sequelae. The methods within this area need to be further developed.