B-47 Depressive Symptomatology Subsequent to Comorbid Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Abstract Objective The researchers hypothesized that 1) individuals with comorbid traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) will endorse increased depressive symptomatology compared to individuals with SCI only, 2) TBI severity will contribute to endorsed depressive symptomatology, and 3) premorbid psychopathology will exacerbate current symptom presentation. Method Data from the federally funded SCI Model System Centers was analyzed. From the population (N = 32,159) of individuals with SCI, a sample (n = 7,709) of individuals with comorbid SCI and TBI was obtained to assess impact on depressive symptomatology. Scores on the first two items of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a validated screening tool for depression, were utilized for analysis of depressive symptomatology. Results There was a significant difference in individuals’ PHQ-9-q1 scores at the first year without TBI (M = 0.72, SD = 0.98) compared to those with TBI (M = 0.86, SD = 1.05; t (1610) = -3.04, p = 0.002, two-tailed). The magnitude of the differences in means (mean difference = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.24 to -0.05) was very small (eta squared = 0.005). Further analysis indicated premorbid depression and co-occurrence of premorbid PTSD and depression were significant predictors of endorsed depressive symptomatology. More in-depth results from these analyses will be presented on the poster. Conclusion This study supports the components proposed by the diathesis-stress model, wherein interactions between predisposing factors and situational stressors contribute to the development of psychopathology. Moreover, these findings suggest the importance of assessing for premorbid psychopathology in individuals with comorbid SCI and TBI as psychological treatment will be crucial in maximizing clinical outcomes.