What are the risk factors for MVA-related PTSD?

Recent research efforts have started to identify variables that have predictive value when trying to determine who might experience PTSD after a serious accident. The use of such research allows for early identification of individuals at risk for long-term mental health problems secondary to their accident.

The research focusing on identifying "at risk" individuals has been directed at three sets of variables: characteristics about the individual that were present prior to the MVA, accident-related variables, and post-accident variables. Pre-accident variables such as poor coping to previous traumatic events, presence of a pre-accident mental health problem (e.g., depression), and poor social support have all been linked to the development of PTSD following severe MVAs.

With respect to accident-related variables, the amount of physical injury, potential life-threat, and loss of significant others have been predictive of the development of mental health problems such as PTSD. That is, as the amount of physical injury and fear of dying increase, the greater the chance of developing PTSD.

Post-accident variables that are predictive of PTSD following MVAs are: rate of physical recovery from injury, social support from friends and family, and active re-engagement in both work and social activities. To the extent that physical limitations will allow, survivors of MVAs should be encouraged to maintain as much of their pre-accident lifestyle as possible, with as much support from family and friends as can reasonably be expected. Such coping strategies appear to be linked with positive mental health outcomes.

What is the treatment for MVA-Related PTSD?

One aspect of MVA-related PTSD that is different from many other traumas is the increased likelihood of being injured or developing a chronic pain condition following the trauma. As a result, many people who have been in a MVA present first to their primary care physicians for treatment and do not consider psychological treatment for some time. Unfortunately, studies have shown that approximately half of the people who develop MVA-related PTSD continue to have symptoms for greater than six months or a year without treatment. Therefore, it is important to identify the symptoms early on and seek appropriate psychological treatment.

There are a number of different treatment approaches that have proven effective for the MVA-related PTSD. Treatments include behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and medications. In addition, it may be useful to work with a chronic pain specialist to help manage the pain caused from being injured. Sometimes these treatments are provided in conjunction with one another. Readers who are interested in more extensive information regarding treatment and provider contacts will find the following websites useful: American Psychological Association (www.apa.org), Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy (www.aabt.org), The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (www.istss.org), and the American Psychiatric Association (www.psych.org).

Additional Information

A full exposition of the personal and accident-related characteristics that are associated with poor mental health outcomes after MVAs can be found in an excellent book, After the Crash, by Blanchard and Hickling (1997). This book also covers a comprehensive approach to treatment for clinicians working with severe accident survivors. This book and other extensive readings in this area of research can be found in the references provided at the end of this fact sheet.