Existing research suggests that depressive symptoms are more common in a TBI population than in a healthy or orthopedically injured population. Injury-related factors such as lesions in the brain and the presence of pain, as well as noninjury factors such as older age at injury and low socioeconomic status, may be predictive of depressive symptoms. Depression is likely a secondary outcome of pediatric TBI rather than a direct result of the injury itself. Overall, a relative dearth of research exists on this topic; thus, the review concludes by proposing future research directions.

Objectives: Examine the mediating effects of anxiety and depressive symptoms on the relationship between psychological resilience and post-concussive symptoms (PCS) in children with poor recovery following concussion. Participants and Methods: Adolescents (N=93), ages 13 to 18 years, were assessed at a neuropsychology screening clinic at a children’s hospital. They sustained concussions more than 1 month before the clinic visit (median time since injury=5.1 months; range=42–473 days) and were seen on the basis of poor recovery (i.e., presence of persistent PCS and complaints of cognitive problems). Self-reported psychological resilience was measured using the 10-item version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale; self- and parent-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Behaviour Assessment System for Children – Second Edition; and self- and parent-reported PCS were measured using the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory. All variables were measured concurrently. Regression-based mediation analyses were conducted to examine anxiety and depressive symptoms as mediators of the relationship between psychological resilience and PCS. Results: Psychological resilience significantly predicted self-reported PCS. Self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between resilience and self-reported PCS, and parent-reported child depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between resilience and self- and parent-reported PCS. Conclusions: Psychological resilience plays an important role in recovery from concussion, and this relationship may be mediated by anxiety and depressive symptoms. These results help shed light on the mechanisms of the role of psychological resilience in predicting PCS in children with prolonged symptom recovery. (JINS, 2019, 25, 346–354)

Sustaining multiple concussions may increase a child's risk of persistent PCS; however, high psychological resilience may serve as a protective factor, regardless of the number or type of injuries sustained. These findings provide support for developing and testing interventions aimed at increasing psychological resilience as a potential means of improving outcomes for children suffering from persistent PCS after concussion. (JINS, 2018, 24, 759-768).

The construct validity of the CD-RISC is satisfactory when used with children with concussion. The 10-item version may provide a more efficient measure of resiliency with better construct validity in this population.

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in childhood is associated with poor social outcomes. This study investigated the role of theory of mind (ToM) as a mediator of the relation between TBI and peer rejection/victimization and reciprocated friendships, as well as the moderating effect of parental nurturance on those relationships. Method: Participants were children ages 8 to 13 (M = 10.45, SD = 1.47), including 13 with severe TBI, 39 with complicated mild/moderate TBI, and 32 children with orthopedic injuries. Data on peer rejection/victimization and friendship were collected in school classrooms using the Extended Class Play and friendship nominations. Parents rated parental nurturance using the Child-Rearing Practices Report. Finally, ToM was measured based on children’s average performance across three tasks measuring different aspects of ToM. Results: Severe TBI was associated with poorer ToM, greater peer rejection/victimization, and fewer reciprocated friendships. ToM mediated the relation between severe TBI and peer rejection/victimization (i.e., severe TBI predicted poorer ToM, which in turn predicted greater rejection/victimization). Parental nurturance significantly moderated this relation, such that the mediating effect of ToM was significant only at low and average levels of parental nurturance, for both severe and complicated mild/moderate TBI groups. Neither the mediating effect of ToM nor the moderating effect of parental nurturance was significant for reciprocated friendships. Conclusion: High parental nurturance may mitigate the negative effects of ToM deficits on risk of peer rejection/victimization among children with TBI. Interventions designed to increase parental nurturance or ToM may promote better social outcomes among children with TBI.

The home environment is not a consistent predictor of long-term EF in children with early TBI and OI, but may moderate the effects of TBI on EF. The findings suggest that interventions designed to improve the quality of stimulation in children's home environments might reduce the long-term effects of early childhood TBI on EF. (JINS, 2018, 24, 11-21).

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Background The number of pediatric SOT recipients surviving into adulthood is increasing. Thus, understanding their psychosocial and QoL outcomes is important. We conducted a systematic review to collate existing literature examining QoL outcomes (physical functioning, psychological functioning, social functioning), as well as risk and protective factors associated with QoL, among adults who underwent SOT during childhood. Methods A systematic search of five databases, from inception to January 6, 2021, was conducted to identify articles that reported on QoL outcomes for adults (≥18‐year of age) who received a SOT during childhood (<19‐year of age). Results Twenty‐five articles met inclusion criteria. Studies examined QoL across a range of SOT populations (liver, kidney, heart). QoL and psychosocial outcomes were variable; however, the majority of studies indicated QoL in this population to be similar to the general population, or at least similar to other chronic illness groups, with the exception of physical and social functioning. Factors related to a more optimal medical course, younger age at transplant and follow‐up, and positive psychosocial functioning, were found to be predictive of better QoL outcomes. Conclusions While several studies indicated QoL to be similar to the general population, the literature is limited in both quantity and quality. No study employed prospective, longitudinal methodologies to systematically evaluate QoL over time and few studies utilized normative‐based measures of QoL. Furthermore, several SOT groups were under‐represented in the literature (e.g., lung, intestine, multi‐visceral). Nonetheless, findings have implications for intervention and clinical decision‐making.