Traumatic Stress Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Youth’s exposure to natural disasters, acts of violence, motor vehicle accidents, and other injuries, interpersonal violence, and life-threatening medical illnesses often leads to significant psychological distress. Although most youth are resilient, a significant minority experience symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other psychological difficulties that interfere with their adjustment and functioning. This chapter provides a framework for understanding ASD and PTSD in children and adolescents. The chapter first reviews the most well-studied types of traumatic events and describes key components of trauma exposure. This is followed by a review of ASD and PTSD, with particular attention to diagnostic issues and major changes in the conceptualization of these diagnoses. Then, after reviewing the prevalence and course of PTSD across different types of traumatic events, the chapter addresses important developmental issues, issues of comorbidity, and key risk factors that play a role in the development or maintenance of trauma-focused diagnoses in youth. The chapter concludes with key issues for future research that will enhance our understanding of ASD and PTSD in youth.