Citation

Myers RK, Vega L, Culyba AJ, Fein JA. J. Adolesc. Health 2017; 61(2): 262-265.

Affiliation

Violence Prevention Initiative, Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.02.022

PMID

28526371

Abstract

PURPOSE: We examined the self-identified, postassault psychosocial needs of male adolescents to guide recovery and healing after being seen in an emergency department (ED) for a violence-related injury.

METHODS: We analyzed deidentified data from 49 adolescent male adolescents who participated in a postdischarge case management program following a violence-related injury. Descriptive statistics summarized youths' demographic characteristics and self-identified needs and goals for postassault recovery.

RESULTS: Most participants (80%) were treated for nonpenetrating injuries and discharged from the ED (76%). Nearly two thirds of youth reported clinically significant traumatic stress symptoms and 89% self-identified mental health needs following injury. Legal and educational needs were also commonly identified.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite experiencing minor physical injuries, assault-injured youth report clinically significant traumatic stress symptoms and recognize postinjury mental health needs.

RESULTS suggest that youth-focused early intervention services, particularly related to mental health, are acceptable and desired by youth soon after a violent injury.

Copyright © 2017 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; Crime victim; Health service needs; Male; Mental health; Violence