The prevalence and course of depression following trauma is currently poorly understood within the literature, particularly in youth. Understanding the trajectory of depressive reactions post-trauma is critical for developing approaches to early management and treatment. This study considered the prevalence and trajectories of depression symptoms up to one-year post-trauma. Participants were 2006 trauma-exposed youth (mean age = 12.6 years; SD = 3.16) from the international PACT/R archive. Depression prevalence was assessed at four post-trauma intervals: acute (>24 h to 1 month), short (>1 to 3 months), intermediate (>3 to 6 months), and long-term (>6 to 12 months). Two operational definitions were used: “likely DSM-5 depression” (meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria) and “likely clinically significant depression” (based on frequently assessed symptoms). Prevalence of individual symptoms and symptom trajectories over time were analysed. The prevalence of “likely DSM-5 depression” was 18.5% in the acute phase and 14.8% at long-term follow-up. For “likely clinically significant depression”, rates were higher: 38.7% (acute) and 34.7% (long-term). Individual symptom prevalence ranged from 13.5% to 62.6% in the acute phase and 15.5% to 63.5% at long-term follow-up. Two symptom trajectories emerged: a smaller group ( n = 165) with minimal symptoms and a larger group ( n = 411) with persistent symptoms. Depression is a common and often persistent response to trauma in children and adolescents, with limited spontaneous recovery over the first year. Routine screening and early intervention for depression in trauma-exposed youth are warranted. Further longitudinal research is needed to identify modifiable risk factors and effective treatment strategies. • The trajectory and course of depression post-trauma in children and adolescents has thus far received little attention in the literature. • The prevalence and trajectories of depression symptoms in a sample of trauma exposed children and adolescents was explored. • Depression symptoms are common in trauma-exposed youth; likely DSM-5 depression was present 18.5% of youth in the acute phase and 14.8% at long-term follow-up • Depression symptoms persist in the year post-trauma and there is little spontaneous recovery. • Further research could explore the risk factors for chronic depression symptoms post-trauma.
Edwards et al. (Sun,) studied this question.