Factors triggering relatives’ judgements of personality change after traumatic brain injury

Abstract

This study emphasizes the need (a) for future studies measuring social behaviours (e.g. impulsivity and emotional perception) (b) to explore the differing determinants of relatives' and participants' PC judgements and (c) to develop and to tailor clinical responses to the various psychosocial determinants of PC.

Personality and Behavior Changes Subsequent to Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review of the Literature

“…While increased vulnerability to depression is associated with TBIs of all severity levels (both in civilian and military populations) (Burg et al, 2000;Crowe, 2008;Lezak, 1987;Lezak, & O'Brien, 1988;Perlick et al, 2011;Prigatano, 1992;Rush et al, 2006;Weddell & Leggett, 2006) there is disagreement about whether the TBI is the organic cause of the depression, or if the depression is the response to lowered function following a TBI.…”

“…Similarly, as a patient becomes more aware of cognitive deficits, the likelihood that the patient will become depressed increases (Rush et al, 2006;Weddell & Leggett, 2006). Furthermore, the social isolation and increased dependency on friends and family that many patients experience may also lend itself to the development of depression (Prigatano, 1992;Rush et al, 2006;Weddell & Leggett, 2006).…”

“…Alterations in initiative, loss of social competency, loss of interest in premorbid recreation (Crowe, 2008;Lezak & O'Brien, 1988), loss of empathy (Joseph & Linley, 2008;Slone & Friedman, 2008), increased anger (Crowe, 2008;Golden & Golden, 2003;Lezak, 1987;Prigatano, 1992;Slone & Friedman, 2008), increased isolating behavior, increased irritability (Brooks & McKinlay, 1983;Crowe, 2008;Greve et al, 2001;Tate, 2003;Weddell & Leggett, 2006), social disinhibition, insensitivity, paranoia (Crowe, 2008;Prigatano, 1992;Weddell & Leggett, 2006), increased immaturity (Crowe, 2008;Prigatano, 1992), lack of motivation, loss of spontaneity, increased agitation (Prigatano, 1992), loss of confidence in oneself, loss of drive, lowered self-esteem, increased social isolation (Bigler, 1989), increased neuroticism, decreased extroversion, increased impulsivity (Rush et al, 2006;Tate, 2003), loss of religious faith or spirituality (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999), apathy, lost initiative, impatience, loss of trust in others, delusions, disordered eating, narcissism, lost or decreased desire for intimacy, homicidal ideation (Crowe, 2008), and impaired self-awareness (Rush, Malec, Brown, & Moessner, 2006) have all been documented. In addition to these consequences of TBI, all the above cited authors note that depression and anxiety are also very highly correlated with mTBI and TBI as discussed earlier in this review.…”

“…Psychoeducation concerning the nature of TBI as well as rehabilitation and prognosis are recommended by several researchers (Burg et al, 2000;Dausch & Saliman, 2009;Weddell & Leggett, 2006). Psychoeducation is stated to be useful so that patients, caretakers, and family have a clear idea about realistic expectations considering the extent of their injuries and for rehabilitation.…”

“…In 2006, a study was conducted to evaluated personality changes following TBI as perceived by close relatives of the patients (Weddell & Leggett, 2006). The researchers conducted the study with 72 patients who had suffered a TBI (ranging in severity) within the previous four years.…”