The prevalence and course of post-traumatic depression in children and adolescents

Edwards, Amber, Chatburn, Eleanor and Meiser-Stedman, Richard (2026) The prevalence and course of post-traumatic depression in children and adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders, 405. ISSN 0165-0327

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Abstract

Background: 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. Method: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	depression,youth,trauma,trajectory model,symptom profiles
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Mental Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Mental Health and Social Care (fka Lifespan Health)
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	12 Mar 2026 13:30
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2026 07:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102327
DOI:	10.1016/j.jad.2026.121601

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