Prevalence of poor psychological morbidity following a minor road traffic accident (RTA): The clinical implications of a prospective longitudinal study

Abstract

Few Road Traffic Accident (RTA) victims have their psychological needs attended to in hospital or afterwards. We conducted a small-scale preliminary investigation exclusively focussing on the prevalence of poor psychological morbidity following minor road traffic accidents (RTAs). Participants (N = 50) completed assessments one-month after their minor RTA and (N = 39) at 4-months follow-up. The identification of clinically significant anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this minor RTA sample supports both evidence reported elsewhere and our specific predictions. Seven (14%) participants at baseline and five (12.8%) at follow-up met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The clinical implications for identifying and meeting the psychological needs of minor RTA victims are discussed in the context of cognitive behavioural conceptualizations of mental disorder.

Keywords:

• Minor road traffic accidents
• psychological morbidity
• cognitive-behavioural therapy