Citation

Troyanskaya M, Pastorek NJ, Walder A, Wilde EA, Kennedy JE, Levin HS, Scheibel RS. Mil. Psychol. 2021; 33(6): 426-435.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08995605.2021.1962191

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Problems with social functioning are common following combat deployment, and these may be greater among individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present investigation examined the impact of mild TBI (mTBI), deployment-related characteristics, and resilience on perceived participation limitations among combat Veterans. This was a cross-sectional study of 143 participants with a history of at least one deployment-related mTBI (TBI group) and 80 without a history of lifetime TBI (Comparison group). Self-report measures of participation, resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and combat exposure were administered. In addition, each participant completed a structured interview to assess lifetime TBI history. The groups did not differ in basic demographics, but significant differences were found for perceived limitations in participation, the presence of PTSD symptoms, and intensity of combat exposure. A stepwise model indicated a significant effect of resilience on reported limitations in participation (adjusted R2 = 0.61). Individuals with higher resiliency reported a higher degree of social participation, and this effect was stronger in the TBI group. Deployment-related characteristics, including intensity of combat exposure, did not have a significant effect (adjusted R2 = 0.28) on social participation. The role of resilience should be recognized within post-deployment transition and rehabilitation programs.

Language: en

Keywords

mild traumatic brain injury; posttraumatic stress disorders; psychological; resilience; social participation; Veterans