Psychological outcomes after pediatric hospitalization: the role of trauma type

Abstract

Physical injury and illness are common potentially traumatic events during childhood and adolescence. Many children experience psychosocial difficulties after medical events. The sample consisted of 399 children aged 4 to 15 who had been hospitalized for physical illness or injury. Elevated psychological symptomatology (PTSS, depression, anxiety) was more frequent after multiple (type II) compared to single (type I) medical events, but only a few differences were statistically significant. The strongest risk factor of child PTSS was parental stress. Type II trauma and low parental education were significant risk factors only for parent report of child PTSS (not for child report). The analyzed risk factors did not differ for type I versus II trauma. We recommend standardized screening and monitoring for mental health in the standard pediatric health care. Furthermore, pediatricians should be trained in signaling stress signs of parents.