Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J70255

Journal:


Rehabilitation Psychology

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 59, 4, 453-458

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study assessed the contribution of injury severity, demographic variables, and coping style to alcohol-related problems following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants were enrolled in a longitudinal study and followed up to 15 years following TBI. Data were analyzed for 278 participants with moderate-to-severe TBI who completed questionnaires assessing pre-injury alcohol use, demographic variables, post-injury alcohol-related problems (Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test [SMAST]), and post-injury coping strategies (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations). The overall regression model, with time to follow commands, age at the time of TBI, education, time since injury, and task-oriented coping style, was statistically significant. After accounting for other factors, specific post-injury coping strategies were not associated with post-TBI alcohol-related problems. Time to follow commands, education, and time since injury independently explained a unique portion of the variance in the SMAST score. A second multiple regression analysis was conducted for a subset of 95 participants who provided information about premorbid binge drinking. The overall model was not significant, likely due to the reduced power to detect an effect, but premorbid binge drinking explained 4 percent of the variance in SMAST scores. Findings suggest that injury severity, education, and time since injury are important to understanding drinking behaviors should be assessed among those with TBI, and at-risk patients should be informed of the consequences of alcohol use following brain injury.

Author(s):


Reslan, Summar, Hanks, Robin A.