Psychosocial adjustment following acquired brain injury in childhood and adolescence: Executive, behavioural and emotional contributions

Abstract

Background: A large literature documents psychosocial difficulties affecting participation in everyday activities following acquired brain injury (ABI). This study examined executive, behavioural and emotional contributions to psychosocial outcome in children with ABI.Method: Participants with ABI (n = 35; aged 7–18 years) were recruited from a rehabilitation department. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale for Children (SPRS-C). Executive, emotional and behavioural variables were examined using self and parent-report measures.Results: Thirty-eight per cent of the sample was classified as having good psychosocial functioning, with 54% classified as limited and 8% as poor. The sample was dichotomized on executive, behavioural and emotional functioning comparing those with and without difficulties. Participants classified without behavioural difficulties had better functioning on SPRS-C compared to those with difficulties (p < 0.01). In contrast, for executive and emotional functioning, hardly any SPRS-C variable showed significant group differences. Of the total group, 15–21% had elevated levels on emotional outcome measures. This was, however, dependent on age, with 22–44% of the older sample reporting elevated levels on at least one emotional variable compared to 4–16% of the younger sample.Discussion: The pattern of results highlight the contribution of behavioural functioning to psychosocial outcome post-childhood ABI.