1573-6598/asset/olbannerleft.jpg?v=1&s=0b2c1a19dc102ab82d8f890e3ac1a9b7f8bc89f1)
1573-6598/asset/olbannerright.jpg?v=1&s=c35027df18244592191357dea2c3c2caf0dcfd14)
Research Article
Posttraumatic stress after a motor vehicle accident: A six-month follow-up study utilizing latent growth modeling
Article first published online: 29 DEC 2006
DOI: 10.1002/jts.20178
Copyright © 2006 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Issue
1573-6598/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=9f8273d5a6117c7b9272d2b6a5d5360499f82807 "Journal of Traumatic Stress")
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Special Issue: Special section: Innovations in Trauma Research Methods, 2005
Volume 19, Issue 6, pages 923–936, December 2006
Additional Information
How to Cite
Wu, K. K. and Cheung, M. W. L. (2006), Posttraumatic stress after a motor vehicle accident: A six-month follow-up study utilizing latent growth modeling. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19: 923–936. doi: 10.1002/jts.20178
Publication History
- Issue published online: 29 DEC 2006
- Article first published online: 29 DEC 2006
Funded by
- Accident and Emergency Department
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
Features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for 596 survivors of motor vehicle accidents were examined by self-report measures at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the motor vehicle accident (MVA). Latent growth modeling was utilized to study the trend and predictors of the level of distress. Results indicated that 5–20% of the participants reported to have a significant level of posttraumatic stress in one, two, or three of the PTSD symptom clusters within the period studied. Survivors with significant acute stress 1 week after the MVA had a higher risk for developing chronic posttraumatic stress. Although the severity of intrusive and hyperarousal symptoms decreased over time, the severity of avoidance symptoms remained unchanged. Factors predicting the course of PTSD after an MVA are identified.