Impact, psychological sequelae and management of trauma affecting children and adolescents

Purpose of reviewIn this review we examine the most recent literature on theimpact, psychological sequelae and management of traumaaffecting children and adolescents. We focus onconsequences of early traumatic events in childhood,adolescence and adulthood; mediating variables (risk andprotective factors); and intervention strategies and availabletreatments.Recent findingsIncreasingly often, mental health professionals are beingasked to address the needs of children and adolescentswho have been exposed to traumatic events, either asindividuals (e.g. sexual and physical abuse, road trafficaccidents) or in groups (e.g. war, terrorism, naturaldisasters). Studies on a wide range of age groups,populations and types of trauma revealed that traumatizedchildren and adolescents are at high risk for developing arange of differing behavioural, psychological andneurobiological problems. Social support may have aprotective effect on the relationship between exposure totraumatic events and psychosocial symptoms.SummarySeveral recent studies analyze a wide range of earlytraumatic events that may be directly or indirectlyexperienced (including exposure through the mass media).These studies raise many fundamental questions about theimpact such events may have on youths, for example aboutvalidity of current diagnostic criteria for post-traumaticstress disorder, comorbidity with anxiety, depressivedisorders and childhood traumatic grief symptoms.Vulnerability and protective factors, mainly gender, age andsocial support are considered. A common problem inresearch into the impact of trauma on children is thepresence of many limitations; studies are oftenretrospective and use self-report questionnaires, and theresults may not be generalizable (i.e. they are trauma orpopulation specific). There is a lack of well designedstudies, addressing in particular treatments for posttraumaticsymptoms in children and adolescents.Keywordsadolescents, children, post-traumatic stress disorder,psychological trauma