D. Winje, LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF TRAUMA IN ADULTS - THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF AFATAL BUS ACCIDENT, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 64(5), 1996, pp. 1037-1043
The psychological impact of trauma on 35 parents and spouses was exami
ned 1 year( 1989), 3 years (1991), and 5 years (1993)after a fatal sch
ool bus accident in Western Norway in 1988. The course and outcome of
posttraumatic symptoms (Impact of Event Scale [IES]) and symptoms of g
eneral psychological distress (SCL-90) were examined in relation to ty
pe of trauma (loss vs. no loss) and prior exposure to trauma. A large
proportion of the sample reported high levels of symptoms on SCL-90 an
d IES ( Intrusion). No associations were observed between type of trau
ma and any of the symptom measures. Prior exposure to trauma did not a
ffect the scores on IES but was associated with a sustained vulnerabil
ity for general psychological distress (SCL90). Different trajectories
of the symptoms indicate that two psychological processes may be invo
lved in long-term adjustment to trauma.