The Roles of Executive Dysfunction, Language Deficits, and Family Environment: How Are They Related to Behavior Problems After Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury?

This study looked at the potential mediating relationship between injury severity, neurocognitive factors, and behavior problems that emerge following early childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). It also explored the moderating role of family environment in the emergence of behavior problems. Children, ages 3–7 years, hospitalized for traumatic brain injury (GCS between 3-15) were seen shortly after their injury and again 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months post-baseline. Neurocognitive (executive functioning and higher order communication) factors, parent-report behavior, and family functioning were evaluated at each time point. Results from this study provide preliminary support that traumatic brain injury in young children can affect verbal abilities and executive functioning abilities and that these deficits mediate the relationship between injury and ADHD-like symptoms and social competence. Family functioning and parenting style moderated the role between injury and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. There was no significant relationship between neuropsychological abilities, family environment, and behavior problems. These results suggest separate processes that are affecting the child’s behavioral functioning following TBI.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Arts and Sciences: Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Cincinnati

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Black, Leah C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shear, Paula

• Psychology
• Traumatic brain injury
• executive function
• language
• behavior outcomes
• childhood

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1352402671

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ucin1352402671