A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of East Anglia has shed light on the reasons why some children and adolescents develop mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression following traumatic experiences. While many young individuals are able to recover well after a traumatic event, some struggle with debilitating conditions for extended periods. The research revealed that cognitive psychological factors, such as how children remember the event and perceive themselves afterward, play a significant role in determining the mental health outcomes post-trauma.

Lead researcher Katie Lofthouse from UEA’s Norwich Medical School emphasized,

“Certain children and teenagers who have been through traumatic incidents like car accidents or violence may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alongside other issues like anxiety and depression. However, the reasons why some children may experience one set of challenges and not others remain unclear. Our study showed that cognitive psychological factors, including aspects of memory related to the trauma and self-perception after the event, were the most powerful predictors of various mental health difficulties.”

The study included 260 children between the ages of 8 and 17 who had encountered traumatic incidents like car collisions or assaults. These participants were evaluated two and nine weeks post-trauma using self-report questionnaires, parental interviews, and medical records. By the nine-week mark, 64% of the children exhibited no signs of any disorder, while 23.5% met the criteria for PTSD, 5.2% for Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and a smaller percentage for depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Cognitive models emerged as the most reliable predictors of these conditions, surpassing social and psychological factors.

Interestingly, the children’s subjective perceptions of the traumatic event’s seriousness influenced their mental well-being more significantly than objective details about the trauma itself. Lofthouse further explained,

“Negative thoughts regarding the traumatic incident played a crucial role in predicting various mental health issues observed. This finding supports the implementation of treatments like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims to address these negative thought patterns.”

The study also highlighted that a poor recollection of the trauma directly correlated with the development of PTSD, hinting at the possibility that distinct symptoms may lead to diverse mental health outcomes. These results build upon previous research indicating that children are more susceptible to PTSD if they perceive their reaction to trauma as abnormal.

Funded by the Medical Research Council, the research involved collaborations with several institutions and stands out as one of the few studies comparing predictive models for trauma-related mental health outcomes in young individuals. It underscores the critical role of cognitive factors in understanding how trauma impacts children and underscores the potential of tailored therapies to address these issues effectively.

Furthermore, a recent Lancet Commission on young people’s mental health, involving multiple MQ researchers, has assembled a panel of global experts and individuals with lived-experience, including ten youth commissioners, to present a comprehensive analysis of the global landscape of young people’s mental health. To delve deeper into this analysis, click here.