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Publication Details

Title	Crash related mental health issues - The invisible injury
Authors	Edwards SA, Wundersitz LN
Year	2025
Type	Unknown
Abstract	This study investigates the long-term mental health outcomes of individuals involved in road crashes in South Australia, including those who did not sustain physical or serious injuries, and considers any post-crash intervention strategy that might improve road safety outcomes and individual wellbeing based on the findings. Fifty-nine participants were interviewed following their involvement in a road crash and again at least 12 months post-crash. Standardised psychological questionnaires measured symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, resilience and perceived social support. Injury data was gleaned from hospital records while crash information was obtained at the crash scene and from police records. Findings indicated that 75% of participants sustained minor or no physical injury, but mental health conditions doubled from 15% pre-crash to 32% at follow-up. Additionally, 16% of participants developed PTSD symptoms and 42% reported a decline in general mental health due to the crash. The study suggests that early identification of symptoms through mental health screening, including those uninjured, could facilitate timely interventions, potentially reducing long-term mental health impacts, and the burden on road safety. Social media post Think road crashes only hurt physically? Think again. Even without major injuries, mental health conditions doubled 12 months after a crash and16% developed PTSD symptoms. Early mental health screening could prevent long-term damage.
Sponsor	This research was funded via a deed with the South Australian Government
Conference Name	2025 Australasian Road Safety Conference
Conference Abbreviation	ARSC25
Conference Location	Perth, Western Australia
Conference Date	20-23 October 2025

Reference

Edwards SA, Wundersitz LN (2025). Crash related mental health issues - The invisible injury. 2025 Australasian Road Safety Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 20-23 October 2025. [PRESENTED ABSTRACT]