Personality Factors and Injury Severity in the Prediction of Early and Late Traumatic Brain Injury

Past Studies

Past Studies report that limited research has been done on the impact of personality on outcomes for people who have sustained a TBI. Pre-injury factors, including personality styles, may change following a TBI. While a person sustaining a severe TBI may have a significantly altered personality, most studies have shown that this is the exception rather than the rule. Accurate statistical assessments measuring the differences in personality characteristics, pre-injury and post-injury have been difficult to document. In studies using data obtained from the NEO-Personality Inventory-Revised questionnaire, a tool for self-reporting and for reporting by a significant other (SO), researchers found little evidence of personality changes from pre-injury to post-injury. However, only one study attempted to determine if personality factors affected outcomes following TBI. This report did note that social role re-engagement (neuroticism- the impact of personality, agreeableness, and consciousness) was more predictive of behavioral outcomes.

This Study

This Study consisted of sixty-nine (69) participants, plus significant others selected from an initial group of 101 candidates. The final selection of 69 included people who had a diagnosis of TBI; were being treated in an inpatient acute care facility for at least 1 year; could self-report and/or had significant other who described their personality using the same questionnaire; completed several questionnaires at the time of admission (with or without assistance), and again at the time of discharge or within 90 days of discharge. The questionnaires measured personality and outcomes from time of admission to time of discharge. Due to the unpredictability of the discharge date, the severity of the person’s injury, and other factors, many of the questionnaires were not returned before the participants left the hospital. Of the 101 candidates, sixty-nine questionnaires were returned at the time of discharge or within the 90 day period following discharge. Data collected from questionnaires of the sixty-nine (69) participants showed that personality variables were within normal limits, early and late in their recovery. It also showed that severity of injury was not associated with personality factors. Of note, however, were self-reported difficulties with neuroticism, specifically depression. This variable added significantly to early outcome predictions.

Who May Be Affected By These Findings

People with brain injury and their families, researchers, healthcare professionals, caregivers and community providers.

Conclusions

Researchers recommended testing for depression early in the treatment process and during the acute stage of recovery to enhance outcomes. Further study of what interventions could best impact outcomes was also recommended. Authors of this study thought the methods had significant limitations and personality variables did not always reflect pre-injury personality.

Bottom Line

As suggested by their lack of correlation with personality factors, the severity of injury and time from initial injury did not markedly affect personality ratings. Self-reported depression and injury severity did appear to affect both early and late outcome after TBI. As reported by both participants and significant others, other personality features during early recovery, appeared normal and did not affect outcomes.

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