What causes PTSD?
By definition, PTSD occurs after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD, however. Some children and teens are more likely to develop PTSD due to:
- biological factors
- psychological factors
- social factors.
Biological factors
Biological factors include genetics (traits that can be passed down from one generation to another) and a family history of mental health conditions.
Psychological factors
Psychological factors include a person's individual response to stress. Those who tend to experience more negative emotions in response to a stressor are at greater risk for PTSD.
Social factors
Social factors refer to a person's environment, including their family life and community. PTSD can be more common in those with previous experience of traumatic events and/or those who may lack supports to help them cope.
How common is PTSD in children and teens?
No Canadian statistics are available for PTSD in children and teens. However, US data suggest that 5 per cent of teens (one teen in 20) aged 13 to 18 meet the conditions for a PTSD diagnosis. Within this group, PTSD is more common in girls and is more common as teens get older.
There are no clear studies on rates of PTSD in younger children, but US data indicate that the condition occurs in 60 per cent of children and teens exposed to domestic or family violence.
