Psychological impairment following motor vehicle accidents.

This study investigated the rate of psychological impairment and stressful life events in survivors of motor vehicle accidents. Fifty-six patients who had been hospitalised because of motor-vehicle-accident-related injuries were reviewed twelve months after the accident. In this sample, 41 per cent of patients reported significant levels of psychological impairment. Patients reporting psychological disturbance were characterised by having more pain, unemployment, substance abuse, avoidance of road transport and compensation claims. Only 44 per cent of patients reporting significant psychological impairment had sought professional help for their conditions. Psychological dysfunction following motor vehicle accidents appears to be a common occurrence, and education of medical personnel and survivors is required to enhance identification and management of this problem.