Symptom expression and trauma variables in children under 48 months of age

Author(s): Zeanah, C. H.

Journal/Book: Infant Mental Hlth J. 1995; 16: Michigan State Univ, Dept Psychology, E Lansing, MI 48824-1117. Michigan Assn Infant Mental Health. 259-270.

Abstract: The present study compared the severity of posttraumatic symptomatology and the differential expression of the PTSD symptom clusters with six child and trauma-related variables. The independent variables were gender, age at time of trauma, acute versus repeated traumas, injured versus not injured, witnessed versus experienced, and threat to caregiver versus no threat to caregiver. The dependent variables were presence of the diagnosis of PTSD, the overall symptom severity score, and four PTSD diagnostic cluster scores. Forty-one traumatized subjects under 48 months of age were studied. The diagnosis of PTSD was present more often when traumas involved threats to the caregivers. When traumas involved threats to the caregivers, the subjects expressed fewer numbing symptoms, more hyperarousal symptoms, and more new fears and aggression. Implications for clinical practice and research are discussed, including the need for increased awareness that very young children can be affected severely when involved in situations that threaten their caregivers.

Note: Article MS Scheeringa, Kennedy Krieger Inst, Dept Psychiat, 1750 E Fairmont Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA

Keyword(s): POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS; DISORDER; WITNESS; PTSD

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