Long-Term Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth in Traumatised Adolescents: Findings from a Specialised Outpatient Clinic

Adolescents are at a heightened risk of experiencing trauma, with PTSD prevalence rates ranging from ۳% to ۵۷%. Complex trauma can lead to significant psychological sequelae, including Developmental Trauma Disorder, which impacts self-regulation and overall development. This study investigates the long-term psychological symptoms experienced by traumatized adolescents and explores the potential for posttraumatic growth (PTG) within this population. The primary aim of this research is to identify prevalent long-term psychological symptoms among adolescents who have experienced trauma and to examine how these symptoms relate to levels of PTG. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires administered to adolescents aged ۱۲ to ۱۸ years receiving treatment at a specialized outpatient clinic. Standardized measures assessed PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and PTG. Advanced statistical methods were used to analyse the data, including multiple regression and latent class analyses. Findings indicate that ۶۰% of participants exhibited significant PTSD symptoms, with ۵۵% experiencing depression and ۵۰% reporting anxiety. Additionally, a subset of adolescents demonstrated notable levels of PTG, particularly in domains such as personal strength and improved relationships. Correlation analyses revealed significant negative relationships between long-term psychological symptoms and PTG, suggesting a complex interplay between distress and growth. This study highlights the dual impact of trauma on adolescents, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions that address both psychological distress and growth potential. Understanding the factors influencing PTG can inform clinical practices and enhance support mechanisms for traumatized youth. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to further elucidate the relationship between long-term symptoms and PTG in diverse adolescent populations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Adolescents ، trauma ، PTSD ، posttraumatic growth ، psychological symptoms ، resilience