BACKGROUND: Experiencing life-threatening events often contributes to the onset of such psychiatric conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children can develop PTSD; however, there is controversy over whether PTSD symptoms decrease or persist over time. AIMS: To examine the long-term effects of surviving the 1966 Aberfan disaster in childhood. METHOD: Survivors (n=41) were compared with controls (n=72) matched for age and background. All were interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, measures of current health and social satisfaction, and the General Health Questionnaire. The survivor group also completed the Impact of Event Scale to assess current levels of PTSD. RESULTS: Nineteen (46%; 95% CI 31-61) survivors had had PTSD at some point since the disaster, compared with 12 (20%; 95% CI 10-30) controls (OR=3.38 (95% CI 1.40-8.47)). Of the survivors,12 (29%; 95% CI 15-43) met diagnostic criteria for current PTSD. Survivors were not at a significantly increased risk of anxiety, depression or substance misuse. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma in childhood can lead to PTSD, and PTSD symptoms can persist for as long as 33 years into adult life. Rates of other psychopathological disorders are not necessarily raised after life-threatening childhood trauma.
BACKGROUND: Experiencing life-threatening events often contributes to the onset of such psychiatric conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children can develop PTSD; however, there is controversy over whether PTSD symptoms decrease or persist over time. AIMS: To examine the long-term effects of surviving the 1966 Aberfan disaster in childhood. METHOD: Survivors (n=41) were compared with controls (n=72) matched for age and background. All were interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, measures of current health and social satisfaction, and the General Health Questionnaire. The survivor group also completed the Impact of Event Scale to assess current levels of PTSD. RESULTS: Nineteen (46%; 95% CI 31-61) survivors had had PTSD at some point since the disaster, compared with 12 (20%; 95% CI 10-30) controls (OR=3.38 (95% CI 1.40-8.47)). Of the survivors,12 (29%; 95% CI 15-43) met diagnostic criteria for current PTSD. Survivors were not at a significantly increased risk of anxiety, depression or substance misuse. CONCLUSIONS:Trauma in childhood can lead to PTSD, and PTSD symptoms can persist for as long as 33 years into adult life. Rates of other psychopathological disorders are not necessarily raised after life-threatening childhood trauma.
Authors: Carla Kmett Danielson; Joseph R Cohen; Zachary W Adams; Eric A Youngstrom; Kathryn Soltis; Ananda B Amstadter; Kenneth J Ruggiero Journal: J Abnorm Child Psychol Date: 2017-01
Authors: Armen K Goenjian; Alan M Steinberg; David Walling; Sheryl Bishop; Ida Karayan; Robert Pynoos Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2020-01-14 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Leila Allen; Polly-Anna Ashford; Ella Beeson; Sarah Byford; Jessica Chow; Tim Dalgleish; Andrea Danese; Jack Finn; Ben Goodall; Lauren Grainger; Matthew Hammond; Ayla Humphrey; Gerwyn Mahoney-Davies; Nicola Morant; Lee Shepstone; Erika Sims; Patrick Smith; Paul Stallard; Annie Swanepoel; David Trickey; Katie Trigg; Jon Wilson; Richard Meiser-Stedman Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-07-01 Impact factor: 2.692