Jonathan Purtle1, Erica Harris2, Rachel Compton3, Rich Baccare3, Ashley Morris4, Danielle Dibartolo4, Christine Campbell4, Karen Vogel4, Nadine Schwartz5, Matthew Moront4. 1. Department of Health Management & Policy, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: JPP46@drexel.edu. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA. 4. Department of Trauma, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA. 5. Department of Psychiatry, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Pediatric trauma centers have unique potential to prevent violent injury and its psychological sequelae. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are proliferating across the U.S., but little is known about the psychological needs of pediatric patients who participate in them. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress and exposure to community violence among pediatric HVIP participants. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of psychosocial needs assessment data that were collected for 48 participants. The Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ) and modified Survey of Children's Exposure to Community Violence were used to assess primary outcomes. RESULTS: The sample was 62.5% male and had a mean age of 14.5 years. Twenty-three percent reported previously sustaining a violent injury resulting in medical care, and 47.8% had witnessed a shooting. The majority (66.0%) had a CTSQ score at/above the threshold for probable PTSD diagnosis. The mean CTSQ score was 5.9 and hyperarousal (3.3) symptoms were more common than re-experiencing symptoms (2.6). CONCLUSION: Pediatric HVIPs and trauma centers should consider integrating PTSD screening and trauma-focused psychoeducation into the practice and protocols. Future research should evaluate the impacts of these interventions.
PURPOSE: Pediatric trauma centers have unique potential to prevent violent injury and its psychological sequelae. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are proliferating across the U.S., but little is known about the psychological needs of pediatric patients who participate in them. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress and exposure to community violence among pediatric HVIPparticipants. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of psychosocial needs assessment data that were collected for 48 participants. The ChildTrauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ) and modified Survey of Children's Exposure to Community Violence were used to assess primary outcomes. RESULTS: The sample was 62.5% male and had a mean age of 14.5 years. Twenty-three percent reported previously sustaining a violent injury resulting in medical care, and 47.8% had witnessed a shooting. The majority (66.0%) had a CTSQ score at/above the threshold for probable PTSD diagnosis. The mean CTSQ score was 5.9 and hyperarousal (3.3) symptoms were more common than re-experiencing symptoms (2.6). CONCLUSION: Pediatric HVIPs and trauma centers should consider integrating PTSD screening and trauma-focused psychoeducation into the practice and protocols. Future research should evaluate the impacts of these interventions.
Authors: Jonathan Purtle; Linda J Rich; John A Rich; Jazzmin Cooper; Erica J Harris; Theodore J Corbin Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2015 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Miriam Y Neufeld; Megan G Janeway; Su Yeon Lee; Matthew I Miller; Erin A Smith; Bindu Kalesan; Lisa Allee; Tracey Dechert; Sabrina E Sanchez Journal: Am J Surg Date: 2020-07-08 Impact factor: 2.565