Acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in parents of injured children.

Acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were examined in 334 parents of children with traffic-related injuries. In the first month after their child's injury, 12% of parents had ASD and another 25% had partial ASD. Among 251 parents assessed again approximately 6 months postinjury, 8% had PTSD and another 7% had partial PTSD. The ASD and PTSD severity were associated (r = .54), but ASD status was not a sensitive predictor of later PTSD. Independent predictors of ASD severity included prior trauma exposure, peritrauma exposure and perceptions of the child's pain and life threat, and child ASD severity. Independent predictors of PTSD severity included prior trauma exposure, parent ASD severity, and parent-rated child physical health at follow-up.

Posttraumatic stress and trauma history in adolescents and young adults with HIV.

This study examined trauma history and posttraumatic stress in a sample of 30 adolescents and young adults with HIV/AIDS, recruited from December 14, 2004 through May 3, 2005. Overall, participants reported a mean of 5.63 traumatic events, with 93% of the sample reporting that receiving a diagnosis of HIV was experienced as traumatic. Of these, 13.3% met criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder in response to HIV diagnosis, while an additional 20% showed significant post-traumatic stress symptoms. Even greater rates of posttraumatic stress were reported in response to other trauma, with 47% of youth surveyed reporting symptoms of posttraumatic stress in response to such traumatic events as being a victim of a personal attack, sexual abuse, or being abandoned by a caregiver. These findings may inform professionals about the potential impact of the HIV diagnosis on adolescents and young adults, particularly as this may impact participation in medical care and need for mental health support.