Methodological challenges in injury investigation of mental health outcomes after road traffic injury

Abstract

Individuals sustaining road traffic injuries (RTIs) are at elevated risk for developing long-term mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, which can significantly delay recovery and reintegration into daily life. Despite this, psychological consequences often receive less clinical attention than physical injuries, leading to delayed or insufficient support. In Europe, these challenges are compounded by health systems’ limited capacity to predict, monitor, and manage mental health outcomes in trauma care settings. Compared to countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States, where research and policy frameworks are more developed, the European context remains under-investigated. This study aimed to explore and synthesize the current body of literature on the mental health impact of RTIs in Europe, with a particular focus on identifying the risk factors that contribute to poor psychological recovery. Through a structured review process, the study found substantial mental health burdens persisting well beyond the acute phase of injury. The review also highlighted a range of methodological and systemic challenges that hinder effective clinical and public health responses-such as the absence of a common definition for mental health recovery, varied assessment tools, inconsistent epidemiological approaches, and a general lack of robust data collection mechanisms in most European countries. The findings point to a complex interaction of individual, social, and systemic factors influencing recovery, including pre-injury vulnerabilities, injury severity, healthcare access, and social support. The study concludes that without coordinated efforts to standardize definitions, improve screening practices, and integrate mental health monitoring into injury surveillance systems, Europe will continue to fall short in addressing the full scope of RTI outcomes.