Academic Journal
From symptom to diagnosis: Gap between clinical observations and PTSD recognition in child protection.
| Τίτλος: | From symptom to diagnosis: Gap between clinical observations and PTSD recognition in child protection. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Magnin M; University of Caen Normandy, École Doctorale 556 HSRT, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032, Caen Cedex, France. Electronic address: melanie.magnin@unicaen.fr., Hirschelmann A; University of Caen Normandy, École Doctorale 556 HSRT, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032, Caen Cedex, France. Electronic address: astrid.hirschelmann@unicaen.fr., Geoffrion S; Montreal Mental Health University, Canada; Trauma Studies Center Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address: s.geoffrion@umontreal.ca. |
| Πηγή: | Child abuse & neglect [Child Abuse Negl] 2026 Aug; Vol. 178, pp. 108119. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 01. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Elsevier Science Inc Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 7801702 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1873-7757 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01452134 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Child Abuse Negl Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Oxford : Elsevier Science Inc Original Publication: Oxford, Elmsford, N. Y., Pergamon Press. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*/diagnosis , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*/epidemiology , Child Protective Services*, France/epidemiology ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Male ; Female ; Prevalence ; Child ; Child Abuse |
| Περίληψη: | Background: In France, approximately 381,000 minors receive Child Welfare Services (Aide Sociale à l'Enfance, ASE) measures, a population highly exposed to early adversities. Despite the expected high prevalence of trauma-related disorders, screening for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains insufficient. Objective: To assess the prevalence of PTSD and complex trauma indicators through systematic analysis of educational case files of adolescents in child protection services. To assess the training needs of child protection professionals regarding psychotrauma. Method: Retrospective analysis of 50 case files (mean age: 16.7 years) followed by ASE/PJJ between June 2021 and October 2022. Systematic coding of symptoms according to DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and DESNOS (Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified). Presence criterion: symptom mentioned at least twice in two separate documents. Measuring professionals' own recognition of their training needs on PTSD and complex trauma, following a targeted awareness intervention. Results: 94% of participants exhibited significant PTSD symptomatology indicators (≥15 symptoms out of 30); no formal PTSD diagnosis had been established in any case. Criteria D and E were particularly over-represented. Analysis according to DESNOS confirmed the complex nature of the trauma. All participants had experienced criminally characterized violence, but only 29.7% of incidents had led to a report. All (100%) of the 100 professionals who received psychotrauma awareness training expressed a need for in-depth training. Conclusion: This study reveals a paradox: a massive prevalence of traumatic indicators (94%) finely described by professionals but not identified as PTSD, due to lack of specific training. These results underscore the need to integrate systematic psychotrauma screening and social worker training into child protection services. (Copyright © 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Adolescents; Child protection; Child welfare services; Complex trauma; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Professional training; Screening |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260601 Date Completed: 20260701 Latest Revision: 20260701 |
| Update Code: | 20260702 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.chiabu.2026.108119 |
| PMID: | 42224979 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1873-7757 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.chiabu.2026.108119 |