POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN PHYSICALLY ABUSED ADOLESCENTS

Objective: In an investigation of the prevalence of post-traumatic str ess disorder (PTSD), other Axis I psychiatric disorders, and social an d behavioral difficulties, 27 physically abused adolescents were compa red with 27 nonabused controls who were recruited through random-digit dialing procedures. Method: The Structured Clinical Interview for Dia gnosis (PTSD module), Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schi zophrenia, and Youth Self-Report were administered to all subjects; mo thers were interviewed regarding their adolescent's behavior using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School- Age Children and Child Behavior Checklist. Results: The three physical ly abused adolescents who received a diagnosis of PTSD on the PTSD mod ule of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis reported their PTSD symptoms were in reaction to extrafamilial sexual assaults and no t to physical abuse. In contrast, the abused adolescents showed signif icantly higher prevalence rates of depression, conduct disorder, inter nalizing and externalizing behavior problems, and social deficits. Con clusions: Findings suggest that physically abused adolescents may be m ore at risk for behavioral and social difficulties than for PTSD.