Symptomatic Profile of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Victims of Traffic Accidents: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: To describe the symptomatic profile of PTSD among individuals who have been victims of a road traffic accident, as well as their main sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 51 participants who reported having been victims of one or more traffic accidents. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, information about the accident, and an assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms using the PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version (PCL-C). Results: The mean age of the participants was 27.2 ± 6.4 years, and 86.3% were women. A physical injury related to the accident was reported by 35.3% of the participants. The mean total score on the PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version (PCL-C) was 19.43 ± 12.86. Symptoms of arousal and reactivity had the highest mean scores, followed by intrusion symptoms, while avoidance symptoms were less common. Difficulty concentrating (25.5%), irritability (23.5%), and avoidance of situations reminiscent of the accident (23.5%) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Conclusion: This study highlights a notable prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms among victims of traffic accidents, with a predominance of symptoms of impaired arousal and reactivity as well as intrusive symptoms. Despite the limitations inherent in its descriptive nature, the sample size, and the use of a self-administered questionnaire, these results underscore the importance of early screening for psychotraumatic symptoms following a traffic accident and the need to conduct larger-scale studies using validated assessment instruments.