Title:
|
Psychological adjustments following traumatic brain injury in children: the relative contributions of intrapersonal deficits V interpersonal processes
|
This study suggests' that to locate the problems within the child and attribute them to
the brain injury' or cognitive deficits as a result, is inadequate for a considered
assessment, formulation and intervention process. The Primary Objective ofthis study
is to identify which variables predict long-term post-injury psychological adjustment
following a TBI. The study was divided into two sections. The Research Design of
the first section was the parametric and non-parametric multivariate analysis of the
neuropsychological cognitive functioning, schoolfunctioning, behavioural adjustment
and the development of novel behavioural and learning difficulties post-injury based
on the independent variable of severity of injury. The second section of the study
utilised regression analysis and employed the cognitive functioning variables as a
block of predictor variables along with five other blocks namely; injury mediated
variables, family demographics, parental health, family functioning and emotional
adjustment to assess psychological adjustment outcomes based on the outcome
measures of the first section. Eighty-nine 6-12 year old children at time of testing, at
least one year post-injury were recruited. Standardised neuropsychological cognitive
sub-scales were utilised to assess cognitive functioning. Teacher completion of the
CBRSC provided a measure of school functioning. Parental completion of the SDQ
for each participant, and their sibling, and reporting of novel behavioural and learning
difficulties provided a measure of behavioural adjustment at home. The Main
Outcomes and Results indicate significant across and between group differences on
cognitive functioning and the three outcome measures. The regression analysis would
indicate that a significant number of family functioning variables, injury mediated
variables and cognitive functioning variables predict long-term psychological
adjustment post-injury. The main Conclusions indicate that consideration of the
interacting potential of both intrapersonal deficits and interpersonal processes is
required to enable an idiosyncratic assessment, formulation and intervention best suited to meet the child's needs.
|