Predictors of Parental Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in the Year After Adolescent Traumatic Injury

OBJECTIVES: Parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after pediatric traumatic injury and may negatively impact parental functioning and quality of life during this key period of the child's early postinjury recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the course and predictors of PTSD in parents during the year after an adolescent traumatic injury. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included a population-based sample of 99 parent-adolescent dyads. Assessment was through structured interview administration of standardized measures. Interviews were conducted within 30 days of injury and 2, 5, and 12 months after injury. Mixed model regression was used to evaluate variables potentially associated with repeated measures of parental PTSD symptoms at the follow-up time points. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of parents met symptomatic criteria for PTSD at the first postinjury evaluation, as did 15% at 2 months, 7% at 5 months, and 6% at 12 months after the injury. The percentage of parents meeting symptomatic PTSD criteria decreased significantly between the 2-month and 12-month evaluations. Mixed-model regression analyses revealed greater PTSD symptoms within 30 days of injury and a greater number of postinjury parental traumatic and/or stressful life events as significant predictors of parental PTSD. Adolescent factors did not affect the risk of parental PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial subgroup of parents demonstrate high PTSD symptom levels during the course of the year after an adolescent injury. Given that early modifiable risk factors can be identified, future investigations focusing on screening and intervention are warranted.