Increased psychological distress remains elevated in SCI , mTBI and WAD for at least 3 years post-MVC .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this meta- analysis was to determine the psychological impact associated with motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related physical injuries .
Relationship between Stressfulness of Claiming for Injury Compensation and Long-Term Recovery: A Prospective Cohort Study
Importance : Each year , millions of persons worldwide seek compensation for transport accident and workplace injuries . Previous research suggests that these cl aim ants have worse long-term health outcomes than persons whose injuries fall outside compensation schemes . However , existing studies have substantial method ological weaknesses and have not identified which aspects of the cl aim ing experience may drive these effects . Objective : To determine aspects of cl aims processes that cl aim ants to transport accident and workers ’ compensation schemes find stressful and whether such stressful experiences are associated with poorer long-term recovery . Design , Setting , and Participants : Prospect i ve cohort study of a r and om sample of 1010 patients hospitalized in 3 Australian states for injuries from 2004 through 2006 . At 6-year follow-up , we interviewed 332 participants who had cl aim ed compensation from transport accident and workers ’ compensation schemes ( “ cl aim ants � ? )  to determine which aspects of the cl aim ing experience they found stressful . We used multivariable regression analysis to test for associations between compensation-related stress and health status at 6 years , adjusting for baseline determinants of long-term health status and predisposition to stressful experiences ( via propensity scores ) . Main Outcomes and Measures : Disability , quality of life , anxiety , and depression . Results : Among cl aim ants , 33.9 % reported high levels of stress associated with underst and ing what they needed to do for their cl aim ; 30.4 % , with cl aim delays ; 26.9 % , with the number of medical assessment s ; and 26.1 % , with the amount of compensation they received . Six years after their injury , cl aim ants who reported high levels of stress had significantly higher levels of disability ( 6.94 points , World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule sum score ) , anxiety and depression ( 1.89 points and 2.61 points , respectively , Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ) , and lower quality of life ( -0.73 points , World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument , overall item ) , compared with other cl aim ants . Adjusting for cl aim ants ’ vulnerability to stress attenuated the strength of these associations , but most remained strong and statistically significant . Conclusions and Relevance : Many cl aim ants experience high levels of stress from engaging with injury compensation schemes , and this experience is positively correlated with poor long-term recovery . Intervening early to boost resilience among those at risk of stressful cl aims experiences and re design ing compensation processes to reduce their stressfulness may improve recovery and save money
Increased psychological distress remains elevated in SCI , mTBI and WAD for at least 3 years post-MVC .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this meta- analysis was to determine the psychological impact associated with motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related physical injuries .