The role of premorbid factors and adverse childhood experiences in the persistence of symptoms post mild traumatic brain injury (persistent postconcussive symptoms)

<p>Every year, more than 2.8 million individuals sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the U.S. At least 75% of these are designated as mild TBI (mTBI). While most are expected to spontaneously recover within days to weeks, a substantial minority continue to experience various somatic, cognitive, and affective symptoms for months/years postinjury. Several biopsychosocial factors (e.g., cognitive reserve, psychiatric illness) may influence the persistence of postconcussive symptoms (PPCS). Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) may be another psychosocial factor that influences PPCS, but few studies have assessed the relationship between ACEs and TBI. This study aimed to replicate previous findings and was the first to extend the literature to evaluate the relationship between ACEs and PPCS. Fifty-eight individuals (34 males; <em>M</em> = 16.82 years; <em>SD</em> = 2.28), who presented for a neuropsychological evaluation due to PPCS, were included in this archival study. Of the predictors examined (i.e., sex, maternal education, previous mTBI, psychiatric illness, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disorder diagnosis), only parent-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with PPCS; higher reported anxiety and depressive symptoms were related to higher reported PPCS. Hierarchical regression revealed that ACEs did not account for additional significant variance in PPCS outcomes. Current findings highlight the possibility of clinicians assessing for parent-reported psychiatric factors to identify adolescents and young adults who may be at higher risk for prolonged symptoms. Inconsistencies with previous literature also highlight the need for standardized definitions of mTBI and PPCS, as well as prospective studies to establish temporal relationships among ACEs, other predictors, and PPCS.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• Andersen, Tiffany

Contributors dc:contributor

• Renee Lajiness-O’Neill, Ph.D.
• Jin Bo, Ph.D.
• Jamie Lawler, Ph.D.

• adverse childhood experiences
• concussion
• mild traumatic brain injury
• persistent postconcussive symptoms
• postconcussive syndrome
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1098

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2453