Screening and Predicting Posttraumatic Stress and Depression in Children Following Single-Incident Trauma

Abstract

Three screening methods to predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in children following single-incident trauma were tested. Children and adolescents (N = 90; aged 7–17 years) were assessed within 4 weeks of an injury that led to hospital treatment and followed up 3 and 6 months later. Screening methods were adapted from existing instruments and examined (a) an Australian version of the Screening Tool for Predictors of PTSD (STEPP-AUS), (b) an abbreviated measure of initial PTSD severity, and (c) an abbreviated measure of initial maladaptive trauma-specific beliefs. The STEPP-AUS correctly identified 89% of the children who developed PTSD at 6-month follow-up and the 69% of children who were non-PTSD. Predictive performance of the others instruments was generally poor, and no instrument consistently predicted subclinical levels of depression.

This research was supported by a grant from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund awarded to the first author. We thank families and staff from the Women's and Children's Hospital and the Flinders Medical Centre for their involvement in the study, and Dr. Paul Williamson for his statistical advice.

Notes

Note: N = 90.

Note: Cutoff score used for the STEPP is ≥4. STEPP = Screening Tool for Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); PPV = positive predictive value; NPV = negative predictive value.

Note: Cutoff score used for the STEPP-AUS is ≥4. STEPP-AUS = Screening Tool for Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)–Australian Version; PPV = positive predictive value; NPV = negative predictive value.

Note: Cutoff score used for the CPSS-10 is ≥3; cutoff score used for the CPSS = Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptom Scale; PPV = positive predictive value; NPV = negative predictive value.

Note: Cutoff score used for the CPTCI-P and CPTCI-D is ≥ 5. CPTCI = Child Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory; PTSD = Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; PPV = positive predictive value; NPV = negative predictive value.