Authors:

Meiser-Stedman, R., DALGLEISH, T., Smith, P., Yule, W., Bryant, B., Ehlers, A., Mayou, R., Kassam-Adams, N. & Winston, F.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2007

CBU number:

6338

Abstract:

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a good predictor of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder inadult populations, though the emphasis on dissociation symptoms within the diagnosis hasbeen questioned. Recent studies suggest that ASD may also have application to children andadolescents. The present study examined properties of the ASD diagnosis within youth. Alarge (N=367) multi-site sample of 6-17 year old children and adolescents exposed to motorvehicle accidents completed interviews or self-report questionnaires regarding their acutestress symptoms. The study found evidence supporting the suggestion that the dissociativecriterion of ASD is excessively strict in this age group, and that there is less overlap betweendissociative symptoms than in adults. The implications of these findings for how ASD isapplied to youth are discussed.