T Wohlfarth1, F W Winkel, W Van Den Brink. 1. Department of Clinical Psychology, Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. t.wohlfarth@planet.nl
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To construct a practical instrument for the identification and referral of crime victims who are at high risk for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: Crime victims filing a complaint at a police station were asked to fill out a questionnaire probing risk factors for PTSD (n=126). One and 3 months later, these victims filled out a self-report version of the PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS-SR). RESULTS: The combination of four items predicted persistent PTSD with a sensitivity of 1.00 and a specificity of 0.62. The items were: being victims of a violent crime, knowing the perpetrator, experiencing the results of the crime as worse than was expected, and blaming oneself for the event. Only 25% of PTSD cases received emotional support from a victim assistance organization. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that early detection of high-risk victims and their referral to treatment is both necessary and possible.
OBJECTIVE: To construct a practical instrument for the identification and referral of crime victims who are at high risk for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: Crime victims filing a complaint at a police station were asked to fill out a questionnaire probing risk factors for PTSD (n=126). One and 3 months later, these victims filled out a self-report version of the PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS-SR). RESULTS: The combination of four items predicted persistent PTSD with a sensitivity of 1.00 and a specificity of 0.62. The items were: being victims of a violent crime, knowing the perpetrator, experiencing the results of the crime as worse than was expected, and blaming oneself for the event. Only 25% of PTSD cases received emotional support from a victim assistance organization. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that early detection of high-risk victims and their referral to treatment is both necessary and possible.
Authors: Elizabeth Reed; Danielle A Lawrence; M C Santana; C Seth L Welles; C Robert Horsburgh; Jay G Silverman; John A Rich; Anita Raj Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2014-02 Impact factor: 3.671
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