Psychopathology in children and young people following trauma: the course of depression and correlates of poor mental health

Edwards, Amber (2025) Psychopathology in children and young people following trauma: the course of depression and correlates of poor mental health. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Exposure to traumatic experiences is common in children and adolescents. Research shows that while many are resilient, a significant number develop mental health disorders, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being the most studied. Depression is a response to trauma, affecting up to 24.2% of trauma-exposed youth, and is comorbid with PTSD in over half of cases. Preliminary research suggests depression symptoms do not spontaneously recover.

This thesis explored cognitive factors underlying depression development alongside the prevalence and course of symptoms. A systematic review and meta-analysis found strong links between maladaptive appraisals and both PTSD and depression symptoms (r=.54 and r=.60 respectively). Rumination had a moderate relationship with PTSD (r=.40), but there was insufficient evidence linking depression and rumination following trauma.

These findings highlighted a research gap into depression as a trauma response. The empirical project therefore investigated depression prevalence and course following trauma exposure. It utilised data from the PACT/R data repository to analyse the symptoms of 2006 trauma-exposed children and adolescents. Frequency statistics, meta-analysis and trajectory modelling were conducted. Prevalence rates found were higher than those expected to be found in the general population, and this was consistent across the year post-trauma. Two depression trajectories emerged: a small cohort (n=165) with no-or mild symptoms, and a large cohort (n=411) with persistent moderate symptoms.

Depression symptoms are a common response to trauma in children and adolescents and unlikely to resolve spontaneously within a year. Maladaptive appraisals are linked to both PTSD and depression, suggesting targeting these in treatment could reduce both symptoms. Future research could focus on the cognitive factors involved in the development and maintenance of depression following a trauma, alongside the overlaps with PTSD and complex PTSD.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	27 Oct 2025 10:23
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2025 10:23
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100774
DOI:

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