Personality Change in Head Trauma A Validity Study of the Neuropsychology Behavior and Affect Profile

Abstract

This study represents the first attempt to cross validate and report on the Neuropsychology Behavior and Affect Profile (NBAP) using closed head injury (CHI) participants. The NBAP is designed to measure emotional functioning before and following a brain event. Two CHI samples, differing primarily by method of ascertainment, were compared to a group of normal controls. Results provided support for concurrent and predictive validity of the NBAP across both CHI samples. Significantly higher levels of postinjury emotional functioning in clinic-referred CHI patients compared to CHI individuals not seeking treatment (strictly research participants) was demonstrated. A surprising finding was that pre-injury emotional levels of clinic-referred subjects were rated as less severe than that of controls. Based on this finding, the possibility of a gradient effect was discussed in which raters appeared to place selectively greater weight on current condition, while simultaneously making premorbid levels less severe than they really were. Results were discussed in the context of study limitations and directions for further research.

Social and emotional competence in traumatic brain injury: New and established assessment tools

“…Several rating scales for frontal dysfunction focus on cognitive/executive difficulties, but cognitive abilities do not necessarily predict social competence (Grace & Malloy, 2001;Milders et al, 2003Milders et al, , 2008Rochat et al, 2009). Other scales for measuring behavioral/neuropsychiatric problems include some interpersonal items or subscales, but do not primarily focus on social competence (Barrash, Tranel, Thompson, 1994;Kertesz, Davidson, & Fox, 1994;Kreutzer, Marwitz, Seel, & Devany Serio, 1996;Nelson, Drebing, Satz, & Uchiyama, 1998;Yamasoto et al, 2007). There are also scales that focus on social behavior, but were not developed for TBI.…”

Social behavior following traumatic brain injury and its association with emotion recognition, understanding of intentions, and cognitive flexibility

“…Neuropsychology Behavior and Affect Profile (NBAP; Nelson et al, 1998). The NBAP is a 106-item questionnaire specifically designed to assess the emotional and behavioral consequences of acquired brain damage.…”

A Double Blind Trial of Divalproex Sodium for Affective Lability and Alcohol Use Following Traumatic Brain Injury

“…(Okie, 2005) Psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders-especially disorders of mood--have been noted in as many as three-quarters of combatants who suffered TBI in previous conflicts (Lishman, 1973) and are often more adversely affected by emotional problems than by physical disabilities. (Nelson et al, 1998) Although specific data are not at hand, published frequencies suggest that as many as one combat related case of TBI in every five may likely exhibit symptoms related to fronto-limbic disinhibition that is expressed as a poorly controlled, or labile, affect. It is that condition that caught our clinical interest and led to a preliminary research project.…”