LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF TRAUMA IN ADULTS - THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF AFATAL BUS ACCIDENT

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.