Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Maltreated Youth

Abstract

Many youth (children and adolescents) experience physical or sexual maltreatment, neglect, or other forms of abuse and subsequent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Youth are at particular risk for PTSD if they experienced sexual and physical maltreatment for a longer duration and if threat or force was used. This chapter covers key aspects of post-traumatic stress disorder in maltreated youth, including epidemiology, associated symptoms and diagnoses, outcome, risk factors, and treatment strategies. Maltreated youth with PTSD are at risk for many internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, have varying outcomes, and demonstrate different biological and psychosocial risk factors. Cognitive-behavioral, pharmacological, and other treatments have been designed for this population and are described.