Mélanie Magnin (doctorante, LPCN, Université de Caen Normandie), Astrid Hirschelmann (PR, LPCN, université de Caen Normandie) et Steve Geoffrion (PR, UdeM, université de Montréal) ont publié un nouvel article dans la revue Child abuse & neglect.
Magnin, M., Hirschelmann, A., Geoffrion, S. (2026). From Symptom to Diagnosis: Gap Between Clinical Observations and PTSD Recognition in Child Protection. Child abuse & neglect, 178, 108119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2026.108119
Abstract
Background In France, approximately 381,000 minors receive Child Welfare Services (Aide Sociale à l’Enfance, ASE) measures, a population highly exposed to early adversities. Despite the expected high prevalence of trauma-related disorders, screening for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains insufficient. Objective To assess the prevalence of PTSD and complex trauma indicators through systematic analysis of educational case files of adolescents in child protection services. To assess the training needs of child protection professionals regarding psychotrauma.
Method Retrospective analysis of 50 case files (mean age: 16.7 years) followed by ASE/PJJ between June 2021 and October 2022. Systematic coding of symptoms according to DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and DESNOS (Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified). Presence criterion: symptom mentioned at least twice in two separate documents. Measuring professionals’ own recognition of their training needs on PTSD and complex trauma, following a targeted awareness intervention. Results 94% of participants exhibited significant PTSD symptomatology indicators (≥15 symptoms out of 30); no formal PTSD diagnosis had been established in any case. Criteria D and E were particularly over-represented. Analysis according to DESNOS confirmed the complex nature of the trauma. All participants had experienced criminally characterized violence, but only 29.7% of incidents had led to a report. All (100%) of the 100 professionals who received psychotrauma awareness training expressed a need for in-depth training. Conclusion This study reveals a paradox: a massive prevalence of traumatic indicators (94%) finely described by professionals but not identified as PTSD, due to lack of specific training. These results underscore the need to integrate systematic psychotrauma screening and social worker training into child protection services.
Il est consultable via ce lien : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2026.108119. Celui-ci a été publié dans la revue Child abuse & neglect (IF : 3.4), une revue scientifique internationale à comité de lecture consacrée à l’étude de la maltraitance infantile sous toutes ses formes (abus physiques, psychologiques, sexuels, négligence et exposition aux violences). Elle publie des travaux empiriques, des revues de littérature et des analyses de politiques publiques portant sur les facteurs de risque, les mécanismes de prévention, les conséquences développementales et les interventions cliniques et sociales. De nature interdisciplinaire, la revue rassemble des contributions issues de la psychologie, de la psychiatrie, de la santé publique, du travail social, de la criminologie et des sciences de l’éducation. Reconnue comme une revue de référence dans son domaine, elle contribue à l’avancement des connaissances scientifiques et à l’amélioration des pratiques de protection de l’enfance à l’échelle internationale.
Astrid Hirschelmann est professeure de psychologie clinique et psychopathologie au LPCN. Ses recherches portent sur de nouveaux outils méthodologiques et thérapeutiques qui tendent à promouvoir la santé mentale dans les institutions fermées et à destination de publics vulnérables. Elle coordonne le programme de recherche Dynamique Familiale au LPCN.
