ABSTRACT
Road traffic accidents are a major cause of death and injury in children. Medical services are readily available to those who have been physically injured but consideration is rarely given to the emotional needs of children involved in such accidents. At present it appears that psychological support is rarely offered to children involved in road accidents. In addition, risk and protective factors which might influence posttraumatic responses in children involved in road accidents need to be examined. It is now well documented that children react to life-threatening stressors with various forms of distress, including depression, anxiety, fears and bereavement reactions as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While the prevalence of PTSD in child survivors of road accidents has yet to be clarified. The chapter presents some case studies that show some survivors go on to develop chronic and disabling reactions.
