Renee Sandusky

Advanced General Psychology 492

Instructor Dr. Darcel Harris

Argosy University

Thousands of children receive a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year (Wade, Cassedy, Walz, Taylor, Stancin, & Yeates, 2011). Many studies have previously reported on a child’s overall recovery process and the potential for long-term post injury behavioral disorders. The purpose of this literature review is to identify and evaluate psychosocial attributes that can help enhance and encourage the overall recovery process, as well as ascertain the variables that help decrease dysfunctional behaviors in a child who has undergone a TBI. Several previous peer-reviewed research articles were obtained that directly reported on the topic of childhood TBI, and the recovery outcomes documented during various time increments. The cumulative findings support the notion that many psychosocial elements such as family functioning, parenting styles, and overall parent-child relationships can influence a child’s recovery potential. Implications for future research are assessing the value, enhancement, or hindrance of sibling relationships on a child recovering from a TBI.

One of the highest causes of death and disability among children today is due to obtaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Wade et al., 2011). The recovery process and overall prognosis varies from child to child and are influenced by many factors. Several independent studies highlight significant elements, which can either enhance or inhibit the child’s full recovery potential. Outside of the medical requirements and rehabilitation, little has been complied to educate social services, medical personnel, family members, and even the public on the psychosocial elements that help, hinder, or otherwise impede the recovery process. I believe gaining this insight can help empower caregivers and offer aid during this very difficult time in their lives.

…what helps or hinders the recovery process?

When it comes to psychosocial elements…..

Anderson et al. (2006) found that both current family functioning and the status of pre-injury family functioning ultimately influenced the child’s long-term post injury prognosis

Catroppa, Anderson, Morse, Haritou, and Rosenfeld (2008) reported findings of SES and family functioning to be less significant, while injury severity and pre-injury cognitive and behavioral status to be the main contributors to overall recovery and functioning post-injury

Chapman et al. (2010) found variables such as “SES, family functioning, and permissible parenting style as significant” (p.55) influencers during the recovery process.

Kinsella, Ong, Murtagh, Prior, and Sawyer (1999) discovered a reciprocal relationship between families that reported an increase in negative childhood behavioral problems two years following a TBI, and greater overall family dysfunction.

Negative childhood

behaviors

Negative family

functioning

Potter et al. (2011) reported a direct correlation between parenting styles and behavioral outcomes in children following a TBI.

Sesma, Slomine, Ding, and McCarthy (2008) reported finding a direct correlation to lower SES, (i.e. families using Medicaid insurance) and an increased caregiver report of childhood executive dysfunction.

(http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/12/02_cortex.shtml)

Taylor et al. (2002) found that when looking at family influences, there is evidence of short-term catch-up growth in math when the family environment was ideal, healthy, and supportive.

Wade et al. (2008) found that the parent-child relationship demonstrated a disruption after injury and perpetually demonstrated distress and impairment as the recovery process moved forward.

Wade et al. (2011) found statistical evidence on the correlation between lower SES family environments and higher levels of post-injury behavioral problems.

Dysfunctional behaviors increases

as…..

Family SES decreases

Yeates, Taylor, Walz, and Stancin (2010) found “better family functioning predicted better behavioral adjustment at 18 months post-injury” (p.352).

Common Themes:

Psychosocial factors do in fact influence a child’s recovery potential!

Elements such as:

Parental involvement

Parental warmness

Family functioning

Parenting styles

SES level

All are variables that can help or

hinder a child’s recovery!

Implications and Future Research

Looking towards the future more information is needed to determine if early identification and intervention of these potentially harmful and/or hindering elements can, and to what extent, make a long-term difference in a child reaching their full recovery potential. Some aspects to further consider are the roles of siblings, and the impact this relationship may have on the child’s recovery capacity.

In this circle of parent-child relationships and post-injury behavioral issues, how does the sibling variable fit, if at all?

Thank you!

References

Anderson, V. A., Catroppa, C., Dudgeon, P., Morse, S. A., Haritou, F., & Rosenfeld, J. V. (2006). Understanding predictors of functional recovery and outcome 30 months following early childhood head injury. Neuropsychology, 20 (1), 42-57.

Catroppa, C., Anderson, V. A., Morse, S. A., Haritou, F., & Rosenfeld, J. V. (2008). Outcome and predictors of functional recovery 5 years following pediatric traumatic brain injury. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33 (7), 707-718.

Chapman, L. A., Wade, S. L., Walz, N. C., Taylor, H. G., Stancin, T., & Yeates, K. O. (2010). Clinically significant behavior problems during the initial 18 months following early childhood traumatic brain injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 55(1), 48-57.

Kinsella, G., Ong, B., Murtagh, D., Prior, M., & Sawyer, M. (1999). The role of the family for behavioral outcome in children and adolescents following traumatic brain injury. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67 (1), 116-123.

Potter, J. L., Wade, S. L., Walz, N. C., Cassedy, A., Stevens, M. H., Yeates, K. O., & Taylor, H. G. (2011). Parenting style is related to executive dysfunction after brain injury in children. Rehabilitation Psychology, 1-8.

Sesma, H. W., Slomine, B. S., Ding, R., & McCarthy, M. L. (2008). Executive functioning in the first year after pediatric traumatic brain injury. Pediatrics, 121(6), 1686-1695.

Taylor, H. G., Yeates, K. O., Wade, S. L., Drotar, D., Stancin, T., & Minich, N. (2002). A prospective study of short- and long-term outcomes after traumatic brain injury in children: Behavior and achievement. Neuropsychology, 16 (1), 15-27.

Wade, S. L., Cassedy, A., Walz, N. C., Taylor, H. G., Stancin, T., & Yeates, K. O. (2011). The relationship of parental warm responsiveness and negativity to emerging behavior problems following traumatic brain injury in young children. Developmental Psychology, 47 (1), 119-133.

Wade, S. L., Taylor, H. G., Walz, N. C., Salisbury, S., Stancin, T., Bernard, L. A., Oberjohn, K., & Yeates, K.O. (2008). Parent-child interactions during the initial weeks following brain injury in young children. Rehabilitation Psychology, 53 (2), 180-190.

Yeates, K. O., Taylor, H., Walz, N. C., & Stancin, T. (2010). The family environment as a moderator of psychosocial outcomes following traumatic brain injury in young children. Neuropsychology, 24 (3), 345-356.