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Griffin BR, Harvey L, Dimanopoulos TA, Curtis KA, Gillen T, Kimble RM. Examining the impact of a paediatric trauma family support service on the quality of life of injured children: A longitudinal cohort study. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 77:e356-e365. [PMID: 38735803 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE We describe and evaluate the introduction of a trauma family support service (TFSS) in an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital. DESIGN AND METHODS A longitudinal mixed-methods cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of the TFSS on quality of life. PedsQL4.0 and EuroQol 5D-Y scores were collected at 6 and 12 months at intervention and non-intervention sites and outcomes were compared using a two-sample t-test. Qualitative data from field notes collected during the administration of the quality-of-life measures were analysed using inductive content analysis. Data were integrated during the interpretation of results to expand and strengthen findings. RESULTS Data from 192 children were collected (intervention site: 104, control site: 88). Significant increases were seen in the PedsQL and EQ-5D-Y scores at the intervention site compared to the control site at both timepoints, indicating an increase in overall health related quality of life. Two main categories were generated from the qualitative analysis: "Psychosocial impact of trauma" and "Access to psychosocial services." CONCLUSIONS The introduction of a dedicated family support service after paediatric injury improved well-being up to 12 months post injury. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Healthcare providers should emphasise dedicated family support services for paediatric trauma patients, focusing on their psychosocial needs and ensuring access to suitable resources. Paediatric nurses are a major part of this service and should contribute to future research, co-designing and implementing these improved family support services to better serve families affected by paediatric trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn R Griffin
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Level 7, 62 Graham Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Lauren Harvey
- Queensland Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Tanesha A Dimanopoulos
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Level 7, 62 Graham Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Kate A Curtis
- Emergency Services, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Loftus Street, Wollongong 2500, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Camperdown 2006, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Tona Gillen
- Queensland Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Roy M Kimble
- Queensland Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia.
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Szota K, Schulte KL, Christiansen H. Interventions Involving Caregivers for Children and Adolescents Following Traumatic Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:17-32. [PMID: 36161385 PMCID: PMC9879828 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-022-00415-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Although treatment guidelines recommend interventions entailing caregiver involvement for children and adolescents following traumatic experiences, evidence on their effectiveness is inconsistent. The present systematic review and meta-analysis considered possible moderators of their effectiveness. METHOD Eligible studies were (quasi-)randomized controlled trials and efficacy trials published in English or German with participants up to the age of 21 years presenting symptoms of mental disorders due to traumatic experiences. The effectiveness of interventions entailing any kind and extent of caregiver involvement had to be investigated by applying evaluated instruments. PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC, COCHRANE and PSYNDEX were searched. RESULTS A total of 33 studies with 36 independent samples were retrieved. Child- and parent-reports on PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, internalizing, externalizing symptoms and behavior problems were analyzed where available. The pooled effect size is significant and robust at post-treatment for child-reported PTSD, g = - 0.34 (95% CI = - 0.53; - 0.14), parent-reported PTSD, g = - 0.41 (95% CI = - 0.71; - 0.11), child-reported depression, g = - 0.29 (95% CI = - 0.46; - 0.11), child-reported anxiety, g = - 0.25 (95% CI = - 0.42; - 0.08), and parent-reported internalizing symptoms, g = - 0.27 (95% CI = - 0.47; - 0.07). Female sex and fulfilling diagnostic criteria appeared as potential moderators. The only significant effect size at follow-up is found for child-reported PTSD symptoms 12 months post-treatment, g = - 0.37 (95% CI = - 0.67; - 0.07). CONCLUSIONS Interventions entailing caregiver involvement revealed greater symptom reductions than control conditions. Determinants of their effectiveness should be examined further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Szota
- grid.10253.350000 0004 1936 9756Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032 Marburg, Hesse Germany
| | - Katharina Louisa Schulte
- grid.10253.350000 0004 1936 9756Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032 Marburg, Hesse Germany
| | - Hanna Christiansen
- grid.10253.350000 0004 1936 9756Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032 Marburg, Hesse Germany
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3
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Can Developmental Trauma disorder be distinguished from posttraumatic stress disorder? A confirmatory factor Analytic Test of Four Structural Models. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2022; 50:1207-1218. [DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00916-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ng LC, Oblath R, Brigham R, Tai MH, Coles M. Development and pilot testing of a five item traumatic stress screener for use with adolescents in pediatric primary care. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2022; 16:71. [PMID: 35999580 PMCID: PMC9397184 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00501-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost 80% of adolescents in the US have experienced a traumatic event, and approximately 7% have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, there is a lack of validated and feasible assessments for assessing traumatic stress symptoms in pediatric primary care, and traumatic stress symptoms are routinely unidentified. This study aimed to develop, pilot test, and assess the psychometric properties of the Adolescent Primary Care Traumatic Stress Screen (APCTSS), a five-item yes/no screener for post-traumatic stress symptoms in adolescents designed for use in pediatric primary care. METHODS The APCTSS was developed by pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers who all provide care to trauma-affected adolescent patients. The providers sought to create a developmentally appropriate tool that accurately reflected DSM-5 posttraumatic stress symptoms and that was feasible and acceptable for use in pediatric primary care. To develop the APCTSS, they combined and adapted the UCLA Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Reaction Index for DSM-5 with the adult Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5. Next, 213 adolescent medicine patients were universally approached during routine clinic visits and 178 agreed to participate and were enrolled. The 178 patients were aged 13-22 (M=18.4, SD=2.3), 64.4% female; 62.1% Black or African-American, and 20.7% Hispanic/Latinx. Patients completed APCTSS, Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A), and the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 Interview (CPSS-5-I), and 61 completed the Traumatic Events Screening Inventory for Children (TESI-C). RESULTS 56.7% reported a criterion A trauma, 30.1% met criteria for DSM-5 PTSD, 7.4% met criteria for subsyndromal PTSD symptoms, and 19.0% for post-event impairing symptoms. Validity and reliability testing indicated that the APCTSS was internally consistent, had good concurrent and discriminant validity, and demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in identifying adolescents at high risk for post-trauma symptoms. Over half of patients (56.0%) who screened positive on the APCTSS (score ≥2) would not have been identified as having a mental health concern using the PHQ-A, including 60.8% of patients who had probable PTSD, subsyndromal PTSD, or post-event impairing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Many youth with trauma-related mental health symptoms are unidentified in pediatric primary care, which is a missed opportunity for early identification and may contribute to a host of poor outcomes. The development of an effective and feasible traumatic stress screening tool for youth primary care may improve early intervention, and the health and well-being of trauma affected youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C. Ng
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Present Address: Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Psychology Building 1285, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563 USA ,Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, MA USA
| | - Rachel Oblath
- grid.239424.a0000 0001 2183 6745Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA United States
| | - Rebecca Brigham
- grid.239424.a0000 0001 2183 6745Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA USA
| | - Ming Him Tai
- grid.239424.a0000 0001 2183 6745Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA United States ,grid.17635.360000000419368657Present Address: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA ,grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA USA
| | - Mandy Coles
- grid.239424.a0000 0001 2183 6745Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA USA ,grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Pediatrics, Boston University, Boston, MA USA
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Levinson DB, Halverson TF, Wilson SM, Fu R. Less dropout from prolonged exposure sessions prescribed at least twice weekly: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:1047-1059. [PMID: 35278229 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Trauma-focused psychotherapies, such as prolonged exposure (PE), are strongly recommended to treat posttraumatic stress disorder due to their effects in reducing symptoms. However, such therapies may also suffer from high dropout rates. To investigate how clients might benefit from trauma-focused therapy while minimizing dropout, we conducted a meta-analysis of 1,508 adults from 35 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of outpatient PE programs to evaluate treatment frequency as a predictor of dropout. When an RCT prescribed PE sessions at least twice weekly compared to less frequently, the dropout rate was significantly lower at 21.0%, 95% CI [13.9%, 30.4%], compared to 34.0%, 95% CI [28.9%, 39.4%], OR = 0.52, 95% CI [0.30, 0.89], p = .018. It was not possible to draw causal conclusions, as only one RCT compared two PE treatment frequencies head-to-head. Nonetheless, the findings remained significant after controlling for study characteristics. These data invite reconsideration of the common practice of weekly psychotherapy in favor of twice-weekly sessions in standard outpatient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tate F Halverson
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah M Wilson
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Neurosciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rongwei Fu
- School of Public Health, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Ford JD, Charak R, Karatzias T, Shevlin M, Spinazzola J. Can developmental trauma disorder be distinguished from posttraumatic stress disorder? A symptom-level person-centred empirical approach. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2133488. [PMID: 36340008 PMCID: PMC9635476 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2133488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) is a proposed childhood psychiatric diagnosis for psychopathological and developmental sequela of victimization and attachment trauma extending beyond posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBJECTIVE To determine whether a sub-group of trauma-impacted children is characterized by symptoms of DTD that extend beyond, or co-occur with, the symptoms of PTSD. METHOD Person-centred Latent Class Analyses (LCA) were done with data from 507 children (ages 7-18 years, (M = 12.11, SD = 2/92); 49% female) referred to the study by mental health or paediatric clinicians. RESULTS A four class solution was optimal (LMR = 398.264, p < .001; Entropy = .93): (1) combined DTD + PTSD (n = 150); (2) predominant DTD (n = 156); (3) predominant PTSD (n = 54); (4) minimal symptoms (n = 147). Consistent with prior research, the DTD + PTSD class was most likely to have experienced traumatic emotional abuse and neglect (X2 (3) = 16.916 and 28.016, respectively, p < .001), and had the most psychiatric comorbidity (F(3, 502) = 3.204, p < .05). Predominant DTD class members were most likely to meet criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) (X2(3) = 84.66, p < .001). CONCLUSION Symptoms of DTD may occur with, or separately from, PTSD symptoms. Children with high DTD|+PTSD symptoms had extensive psychiatric comorbidity, while those with high DTD symptoms and minimal PTSD symptoms were highly likely to meet criteria for ODD. In clinical and research assessment and treatment of children with complex psychiatric comorbidity or disruptive behaviour problems, symptoms of DTD should be considered, both along with, and in the absence of, PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian D Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center MC1410, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Ruby Charak
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA
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Gindt M, Fernandez A, Zeghari R, Ménard ML, Nachon O, Richez A, Auby P, Battista M, Askenazy F. A 3-year retrospective study of 866 children and adolescent outpatients followed in the Nice Pediatric Psychotrauma Center created after the 2016 mass terror attack. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1010957. [PMID: 36569628 PMCID: PMC9772007 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1010957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mass terrorist attack in Nice, France, in July 2016 caused deaths and injuries in a local population, including children and adolescents. The Nice Pediatric Psychotrauma Center (NPPC) was opened to provide mental health care to the pediatric population (0-18 years) who experienced traumatic events. OBJECTIVES This study describes the specificity of the care pathway for young trauma victims, with an explanation of how the NPPC works during the first three years. METHODS In this retrospective study, we conducted quantitative and qualitative data collection about new and follow-up consultations, primary and comorbid diagnoses, and the kind of trauma (terrorist attack versus other kinds of trauma). Ethics approval was obtained from the local Ethics committee. RESULTS 866 children and adolescents were followed in the NPPC. We found a high rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD; 71%) in this population with a high rate of comorbidities (67%), mainly sleep disorders (34.7%) and mood and anxiety disorders (16.2%). A high number of children and adolescents impacted by the terrorist attack required follow-up consultations after exposure to the mass terrorist attack, the first care-seeking requests continued to occur three years later, although at a slower rate than in the first and second years. New consultations for other kinds of trauma were observed over time. DISCUSSION This study supports previous findings on the significant impact of mass trauma in the pediatric population showing even a higher level of PTSD and a high rate of comorbidities. This may be explained by the brutality of the traumatic event, particularly for this age group. The findings of this study have implications for early interventions and long-term care for children and adolescents to prevent the development of chronic PTSD into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Gindt
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
| | - Arnaud Fernandez
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
| | - Radia Zeghari
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
| | - Marie-Line Ménard
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
| | - Ophelie Nachon
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
| | - Aurélien Richez
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
| | - Philippe Auby
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France
| | - Michele Battista
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
| | - Florence Askenazy
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTek, Fédération de Recherche Interventions en Santé, Nice, France.,Centre Expert du Psychotrauma Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Corse, Nice, France
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Spinazzola J, van der Kolk B, Ford JD. Developmental Trauma Disorder: A Legacy of Attachment Trauma in Victimized Children. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:711-720. [PMID: 34048078 PMCID: PMC8453773 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Developmental trauma disorder (DTD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been found to have both shared and unique traumatic antecedents. The present study was an independent replication, with the DTD Structured Interview and the Traumatic Events Screening Instrument administered to 271 children in mental health treatment in six U.S. sites. On an unadjusted basis, DTD (27.3% prevalence, N = 74) and PTSD (40.2% prevalence, N = 109) both were associated with traumatic physical assault or abuse, family violence, emotional abuse, caregiver separation or impairment, and polyvictimization. After controlling for PTSD, DTD was associated emotional abuse, OR = 2.9, 95% CI [1.19, 6.95], and traumatic separation from a primary caregiver, OR = 2.2, 95% CI [1.04. 4.60], both of which also were associated with caregiver impairment, physical assault/abuse, and witnessing family/community violence. Three traumatic antecedents associated with PTSD were not associated with DTD: noninterpersonal trauma, sexual trauma, and traumatic loss. Children exposed to both traumatic victimization and attachment trauma (36.2%) or attachment trauma alone (32.5%) were more likely than children exposed only to victimization (17.5%) or those with no history of victimization or attachment trauma (8.1%) to meet the symptom criteria for DTD, χ²(3, N = 271) = 17.68, p < .001. Study findings replicate and extend prior DTD field trial study results, showing that, although PTSD and DTD share traumatic antecedents, DTD is uniquely associated with traumatic emotional abuse and caregiver separation. Further research is needed to examine how specific trauma types contribute to the risk, course, and severity of DTD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bessel van der Kolk
- Department of PsychiatryBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Julian D. Ford
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonConnecticutUSA
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9
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Ford JD, Spinazzola J, van der Kolk B. Psychiatric comorbidity of developmental trauma disorder and posttraumatic Stress disorder: findings from the DTD field trial replication (DTDFT-R). Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1929028. [PMID: 34249242 PMCID: PMC8245086 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1929028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) has extensive comorbidity with internalizing and externalizing disorders distinct from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: To replicate findings of DTD comorbidity and to determine whether this comorbidity is distinct from, and extends beyond, comorbidities of PTSD. Method: DTD was assessed by structured interview, and probable DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were identified with KSADS-PL screening modules, in a multi-site sample of 271 children (ages 8-18 years old; 47% female) in outpatient or residential mental health treatment for multiple (M = 3.5 [SD = 2.4]) psychiatric diagnoses other than PTSD or DTD. Results: DTD (N = 74, 27%) and PTSD (N = 107, 39%) were highly comorbid and shared several DSM-IV internalizing and externalizing disorder comorbidities. Children with DTD with or without PTSD had more comorbid diagnoses (M = 5.7 and 5.2 [SD = 2.4 and 1.7], respectively) than children with PTSD but not DTD (M = 3.8[SD = 2.1]) or neither PTSD nor DTD (M = 2.1[SD = 1.9]), F[3,267] = 55.49, p < .001. Further, on a multivariate basis controlling for demographics and including all potential comorbid disorders, DTD was associated with separation anxiety disorder, depression, and oppositional defiant disorder after controlling for PTSD, while PTSD was associated only with separation anxiety disorder after controlling for DTD. Both DTD and PTSD were associated with suicidality. Conclusions: DTD is associated with psychiatric comorbidity beyond that of PTSD, and DTD warrants assessment for treatment planning with children in intensive psychiatric services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian D Ford
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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