Citation

Reslan S, Hanks RA. Rehabil. Psychol. 2014; 59(4): 453-458.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/a0037186

PMID

25019307

Abstract

PURPOSE/Objective: Postinjury alcohol use is a common problem within the traumatic brain injury (TBI) population. Given the association between heavy drinking and the development of alcohol-related consequences, we attempted to understand the contribution of postinjury coping strategies and other risk factors to alcohol-related problems following moderate to severe TBI. Research Method/Design: Participants were enrolled in a longitudinal study and followed up to 15 years following TBI; only persons with moderate to severe TBI (N = 278) were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires assessing preinjury alcohol use, demographic variables, postinjury alcohol-related problems (Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test; SMAST; Selzer, Vinokus, & Van Rooijan, 1975), and postinjury coping strategies (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations; CISS; Endler & Parker, 1990). Only those who completed the SMAST were included in this investigation.

RESULTS: 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 postinjury 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 SMAST score. A second multiple regression analysis was conducted for a subset of the sample that provided information about premorbid binge drinking (n = 95). The overall model was not significant, likely due to the reduced power to detect an effect, but premorbid binge drinking explained 4% of the variance in SMAST scores.

CONCLUSION/Implications: Injury severity, education, and time since injury should be assessed, and at-risk patients should be informed of the consequences of alcohol use among those with TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

Language: en