Age, memory and pain as predictors of PTSD, depression, anxiety in discharged patients.

Psychological symptoms were examined in patients (N =77) attending a hospital major trauma outcome clinic at Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia three months after discharge from hospital. The study focused on predictors of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety that can be routinely ascertained by busy hospital staff, namely: age, pain location, injury severity, memory (complete, partial or none) of the event. Results indicated that younger patients (15-32 years), patients reporting chronic pain (particularly diffuse pain), and patients with partial memory of the traumatic event, (compared with complete or no memory) had poorer psychological outcomes. Patients in the older age groups (33-48 and 49-77) were generally more resilient.

Recorded: October 2009, Dubrovnik - Cavtat, Croatia.
Coping & Resilience International Conference
Organiser: The Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice