Prediction of posttraumatic stress in children and adolescents after traumatic events at school

Traumatic events at school are not unusual. Therefore it is necessary to identify children and adolescents who require immediate or delayed additional Support. 48 pupils aged between 12 and 17 years were assessed at school on two occasions for acute and posttraumatic stress and a number of risk factors. Assessment tools were the Checklist of Acute Stress Symptoms (Checkliste zur Akuten Belastung, CAB) and the University of Los Angeles at California Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA CPTSD-RI). 21% of pupils reported clinically significant stress symptoms 1 week after the event and 10% after 10-15 weeks. Results yielded a moderate association between acute and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Further risk factors for developing posttraumatic stress were the level of exposure, peritraumatic anxiety, acute distress, and functional impairment. In the aftercare of school-related traumatic events, risk factors along with symptoms should be observed more closely.