This chapter summarizes the available data about the psychiatric impact of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), and examines the aetiology of these effects. It discusses the studies of debriefing interventions designed to prevent the adverse effects. The chapter explores the question about how these may be limited or treated. The psychiatric consequences of MVAs are in many ways similar to those described for acute illnesses and events but, a small proportion of victims suffer cognitive and other disorders due to head injury and brain damage and many suffer from post-traumatic syndromes. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is very frequent following MVAs. Psychological debriefing has been conceptualized as an intervention that promotes adaptive adjustment to traumatic events, in part through facilitating emotional and cognitive processing of the experience. The evidence cited here suggests that psychological debriefing for individuals after road accidents does not reduce later psychiatric problems, particularly specific post-traumatic symptoms.

This chapter provides a comprehensive discussion of the concept and practice of multiple stressor debriefing (MSD). MSD addresses the thoughts and feelings about the stressors that personnel encounter while participating in a disaster operation. The model of debriefing is applicable to many other trauma-response groups such as medical, police and fire personnel, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers, as well as direct victims. The primary advantage of an individual debriefing is that it provides an opportunity to aid persons who might not otherwise receive an appropriate level of individual attention. An advantage of a family debriefing is that families can be quickly and effectively mobilized to provide support for the affected person. Evaluating the effectiveness of debriefings through anonymous questionnaires or by asking participants for their feedback at the conclusion of the debriefing is an important step in creating a useful intervention.