Poster 41: Objectively measured personality traits in the prediction of early neurobehavioral symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective: To determine if objectively measured preinjury personality predicts early neurobehavioral symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared with orthopedic injury. Design: Cohort study with matched controls; participants and significant others completed questionnaires of preinjury personality and early postinjury symptoms. Setting: Inpatient hospital and outpatient follow-up. Participants: 87 people hospitalized with mild TBI and 82 with orthopedic injury. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: The NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEOPI-R) and Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory (NFI). Results: For both mild TBI and orthopedic injury groups, personality traits were generally normal; concordance rates between self and significant others personality and symptoms scales were moderate. Self and significant others’ ratings of conscientiousness on the NEOPI-R were higher in the orthopedic injury than in the mild TBI group. Significant others’ reports of NFI somatic symptoms were higher in the orthopedic injury than in the mild TBI group. Stepwise linear regression showed that, in both groups, NEOPI-R agreeableness and neuroticism accounted for a significant proportion of aggressive symptoms (orthopedic injury group, R 2=.56; mild TBI group, R 2=.46; P<.01). In the mild TBI group, NEOPI-R neuroticism accounted for a significant proportion of depressive symptoms ( R 2=.44, P<.01). Unfortunately, significant findings appear to be the result of substantial content overlap between the NEOPI-R and the NFI, rather than reflecting predictive relationships. Conclusion: Objectively measured personality holds limited predictive value in understanding early neurobehavioral symptoms after mild TBI.