The role of maladaptive appraisals in child acute stress reactions.

OBJECTIVE

To test the prediction of cognitive models of trauma that negative, catastrophic appraisals central to the development of psychopathological stress reactions.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, concurrent design was used.

METHODS

Sixty-six children (aged 7-13 years), who were hospitalized after traumatic injury were assessed within 4 weeks of their trauma for acute stress disorder, depression, and administered the Child Post-traumatic Cognitions Inventory (cPTCI). Parental acute stress was also assessed.

RESULTS

Children's negative appraisals of their ongoing vulnerability accounted for 44% of the variance of acute stress reactions in children. Injury severity, depression, age, and parental acute stress levels did not account for significant additional variance.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide support for cognitive models of trauma adaptation and highlight the importance of assessing children's appraisals of their traumatic experience in order to develop effective interventions.