This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Andersson, A.-L. Articles by Allebeck, P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Andersson, A.-L. Articles by Allebeck, P. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Short communication

Psychosocial consequences of traffic accidents: a two year follow-up

Anna-Lena Andersson, Department of Social Medicine, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden, Address for correspondence: Anna-Lena Andersson Department of Social Medicine Göteborg University Vasa Hospital S-41133 Göteborg Sweden

Lars-Olof Dahlbäck

Lars-Olof Dahlbäck, Department of Surgery, Uddevalla Hospital, Uddevalla, Sweden

Peter Allebeck

Peter Allebeck, Department of Social Medicine, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden

The aim of the study was to assess long term outcome of injuries from traffic accidents with focus on psychosocial aspects. Eighty-four persons injured in traffic accicents and with moderate to severe injuries (ISS 9) were interviewed approximately two years after the accident. We examined psychosocial consequences within eight different domains; sequelae of the injury, psychological consequences, sickness compensation received, living conditions, need of assistance, working capacity, economic situation and leisure time activity.

Sixty-eight percent of the persons reported that they still suffered from physical seqelae and 57% had been or were still suffering from psychological distress after the accident. Sixty-three percent were on the sick-list for at least three months because of the accident. Fifty-eight percent needed some type of handicap aid during some time after the accident. For 29% of the professionally employed the traffic accident led to changed working conditions.

The study indicates a need not only for adequate medical treatment, but also psychological and social counseling in the rehabilitation of victims of traffic accidents. Resources for crisis intervention should also be available at an early stage.

Key Words: traffic accidents • psychosocial aspects • sequelae • rehabilitation

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 22, No. 4, 299-302 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/140349489402200409


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?