Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adolescents and adults can result in cognitive, emotional, behavioral and neurological deficits that can persist more than a year after an injury. The aim of the current preliminary study was to use a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to determine the nature of cognitive impairments and their relationship with specific psychosocial factors, including coping skills and perceived quality of life, following mild TBI (mTBI). Neuropsychological tests administered measured intelligence, pre-morbid intelligence, executive functioning, verbal memory, complex visual construction and non-verbal memory, sustained attention distractibility, and vigilance, verbal learning and memory, fine motor speed, and novel problem solving and executive functioning. Psychological and life satisfaction measures assessed perceived quality of life, coping style, anxiety, and depression. MTBI subjects showed decreased attention, verbal and non-verbal memory, quality of life, and increased depression and anxiety when compared with healthy controls. Additionally, it was found that quality of life mediated the relationship between head injury and depression, anxiety, and attention. These findings may suggest that psychotherapy interventions may be able to improve quality of life and aspects of cognition following TBI.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Science and Technology

First Advisor

Ropacki, Susan A.

Second Advisor

Bartnik-Olson, Brenda

Third Advisor

Vermeersch, David A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

January 2011

Date (Title Page)

12-1-2011

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Clinical Psychology; Brain Injuries; Depression; Cognition

Subject - Local

Traumatic Brain Injury; Mood Outcomes; Cognitive Impairment; Depression; Anxiety; Attention Span

Type

Thesis

Page Count

84 p.

Digital Format

Application/PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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