Reducing crash risk for young drivers: Protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to improve young driver sleep.

Background: Road trauma is a leading cause of death and disability for young Australians (15-24 years). Young adults are overrepresented in crashes due to sleepiness, with two-thirds of their fatal crashes attributed to sleepy driving. This trial aims to examine the effectiveness of a sleep extension and education program for improved road safety in young adults. Methods: Young adults aged 18-24 years (n = 210) will be recruited for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial employing a placebo-controlled, parallel-groups design. The intervention group will undergo sleep extension and receive education on sleep, whereas the placebo control group will be provided with information about diet and nutrition. The primary outcomes of habitual sleep and on-road driving performance will be assessed via actigraphy and in-vehicle accelerometery. A range of secondary outcomes including driving behaviours (driving simulator), sleep (diaries and questionnaire) and socio-emotional measures will be assessed. Discussion: Sleep is a modifiable factor that may reduce the risk of sleepiness-related crashes. Modifying sleep behaviour could potentially help to reduce the risk of young driver sleepiness-related crashes. This randomised control trial will objectively assess the efficacy of implementing sleep behaviour manipulation and education on reducing crash risk in young adult drivers.

Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Sleep in Australian Adults.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep can contribute to poorer health and socioemotional outcomes. Sleep health can be influenced by a range of individual and other socioecological factors. Perceptions of neighborhood physical and social characteristics reflect broader social-level factors that may influence sleep, which have not been well studied in the Australian context. This study examined the association between perceived neighborhood characteristics and sleep in a large sample of Australians. METHODS: Data were from 9,792 people aged 16 years or older, from Waves 16 and 17 of the nationally representative Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. Associations between perceived neighborhood characteristics (neighborly interaction and support, environmental noise, physical condition, and insecurity) and self-reported sleep duration, sleep disturbance, and napping were examined using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: "Neighborhood interaction and support" and "neighborhood physical condition" were not significantly associated with any sleep outcomes after adjusting for relevant covariates. However, "environmental noise" and "neighborhood insecurity" remained significantly associated with sleep duration and sleep disturbance. None of the neighborhood characteristics were associated with napping. Furthermore, associations did not significantly vary by gender. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential benefit of public health policies to address noise and safety in neighborhoods to improve sleep.

Prevalence and predictors of sleep problems in women following a cancer diagnosis: results from the women's wellness after cancer program.

PURPOSE: Using a discrete dataset from the Women's Wellness after Cancer Program (WWACP), we examine the prevalence and predictors of self-reported sleep problems in women previously treated for cancer. METHODS: Participants were 351 women (Mage = 53.2, SD = 8.8) from the WWACP who had completed surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for breast, gynaecological or blood cancers within the previous 24 months. Sleep problems were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Baseline data (i.e. prior to intervention randomisation) were analysed. RESULTS: Most women (59%) reported clinically significant sleep disturbance (PSQI > 5), 40% reported insufficient sleep duration (< 7 h), 38% self-reported poor sleep quality and 28% reported poor habitual sleep efficiency (sleep efficiency < 75%). Fewer psychological and vasomotor climacteric symptoms, age < 45 years and having a partner were associated with reduced odds (AOR < 1) of sleep problems. Higher levels of pain-related disability, and an intermediate compared to 'high' level of education, were associated with increased odds (AOR > 1) of sleep problems. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm previous studies that have found a high prevalence of sleep problems in women previously treated for cancer. A range of sociodemographic, climacteric and pain-related factors were associated with sleep problems in this study. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Targeted interventions to improve sleep quality after cancer treatment should be explored in this population. Predictors identified in this study could inform intervention targeting and development.

Sleep and health-related quality of life in women following a cancer diagnosis: results from the Women's Wellness after Cancer Program in Australia.

PURPOSE: Sleep disturbance after cancer treatment could compromise recovery. This paper examined the associations between post-treatment sleep problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the effectiveness of an e-enabled lifestyle intervention on sleep outcomes. METHODS: The Women's Wellness after Cancer Program (WWACP) was examined in a single blinded, multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Data were collected from 351 women (Mage = 53.2, SD = 8.8; intervention n = 175, control group n = 176) who had completed surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for breast, gynaecological or blood cancers within the previous 24 months. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline (prior to intervention randomisation), and at 12 and 24 weeks later. Sociodemographic information, menopausal symptoms (Greene Climacteric Scale) and HRQoL (36-Item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36) were also collected. Linear panel regression was used to examine the association between sleep variables and SF36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. A difference-in-difference regression model approach was used to examine the intervention effect on the sleep outcomes. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, the sleep variables (except sleep duration) significantly predicted physical, but not mental, HRQoL. There was no statistically significant effect of the intervention on sleep outcomes at 12 or 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: Women who have completed treatment for cancer experience sleep problems that are associated with decreased physical HRQoL. Improving sleep through targeted interventions should improve their physical HRQoL. Improved targeting of the sleep components of the WWACP should be explored.

Partner's characteristics and adolescent motherhood among married adolescent girls in 48 low-income and middle-income countries: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of adolescent motherhood among married adolescent girls and its associations with their partners' characteristics in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). DESIGN: Population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: 54 285 ever married (or lived with a partner) adolescent girls (15-19 years old) were including in prevalence analysis. However, partner characteristics were assessed in a subsample of 24 433 adolescent girls who were married (or living with a partner) at the time of interview. SETTINGS: Data from the latest available Demographic and Health Survey round during 2010-2018 in 48 LMICs across different geographic regions. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of adolescent motherhood was 73.98% (95% CI 70.96 to 78.10) among married adolescent girls in this study. In the pooled analysis, statistically significant and positive associations were observed between adolescent motherhood and partners' desire for more children (adjusted marginal effect (AME): 2.34, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.47) and spousal age gap (AME: 1.67, 95% CI 0.30 to 3.04 for three plus age gap). However, no statistically significant association was observed between adolescent motherhood and partners' education (AME: -0.36, 95% CI -1.77 to 1.05 for primary education) and partners' agricultural occupation (AME: 1.07, 95% CI -0.17 to 2.32). Overall, there was significant variation in the associations across countries; however, the positive associations persisted between adolescent motherhood and partners' desire for more children and spousal age gap in most of the studied countries. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may inform policymakers about the importance of incorporating partners of married adolescent girls into the existing birth control programmes to delay age at first birth among married adolescents in LMICs. More attention should be given to the married adolescent girls who have older partners, and efforts to discourage marriages with much older partners may have a secondary benefit of reducing adolescent motherhood in LMICs.

Psychological approaches for the management of persistent postconcussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review.

Background: To evaluate the evidence for psychological treatments for persistent postconcussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury. There is scant evidence from limited clinical trials to direct the psychological management of persistent symptoms.Method: Databases were searched for studies that: (1) included adults (≥ aged 16 years) following injury (from any cause); (2) tested interventions for postconcussion symptoms after the acute injury period (e.g., after hospital discharge), but prior to established chronicity (e.g., not more than 12 months post-injury), and; (3) applied one of five broadly-defined psychological interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, psychoeducation, education/reassurance, or mindfulness). All controlled trials were eligible for inclusion.Results: Of the 20,945 articles identified, 10 underwent risk-of-bias analysis by two independent reviewers. Nine were retained for data extraction. They used: cognitive behaviour therapy (n = 2), counselling (n = 2), psychoeducation (n = 2), education/reassurance (n = 2), or compared cognitive behaviour therapy to counselling (n = 1).Conclusion: Counselling or cognitive behaviour therapy have the most support but the evidence remains limited. We encourage further randomized controlled trials of early interventions in samples at risk for persistent symptoms, including closer study of psychological risk-factors and the 'active' ingredient. To advance the field, future trials must include additional methodological controls and improved reporting.Implications for rehabilitationPersistent symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury can be disabling and psychological management for rehabilitation may be proposed.However, Controlled trials show that while some psychological approaches hold promise for this purpose, there are significant gaps in the underpinning evidence.The best results are seen when postconcussion programs use counselling or cognitive behaviour therapy and are targetted for people with an increased risk of persistent symptoms.

Correlates of naptime behaviors in preschool aged children.

Purpose: Major changes in the timing, duration, and function of sleep occur during childhood. These changes include the transition from habitual napping to infrequent napping. This transition is likely to reflect, at least in part, neurocognitive development. This study sought to identify factors that discriminate between four groups of children with different teacher-reported responses to naptime in childcare: those who nap (nappers), sometimes nap (transitioners), do not nap (resters), and neither nap, nor lie still (problem nappers). Methods: Standardized observations of sleep and sleep behaviors, daytime behaviors across a number of domains, and direct neurocognitive assessment of 158 preschool aged children (aged 49-72 months; 54% male) attending childcare centers in Queensland (QLD), Australia, were adopted as part of a large longitudinal study of early childhood, the Effective Early Education Experiences (E4Kids) study. Discriminant function analysis was used to examine how age, parent education, nighttime sleep duration, cognitive functioning, behavior problems, and temperament differentiated the four groups. Results: Three discriminant functions were identified and defined as maturation (strong loadings of nighttime sleep duration, cognitive function, and age), socioeconomic status (parental education), and behavioral problems (externalizing behavior, temperament, and internalizing behavior). These functions accounted for 62.9%, 32.6%, and 4.5% of the between-groups variance, respectively. Children defined as nappers (n=44) had significantly shorter duration of nighttime sleep, were younger, and had lower cognitive functioning scores than did other groups. Problem nappers, (n=25) were more likely to have parents with lower levels of education than did transitioners (n=41). Standard behavior and temperament measures did not significantly differentiate the groups. Conclusion: The findings support an interaction between cognitive development, sleep behaviors, and the individual needs and circumstances of children. Further research in this area could make a strong contribution to theory and practice in early childhood education, and a strong contribution to understanding of children's development.

Changing patterns in the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive episode and generalized anxiety disorder over 24 months following a road traffic crash: Results from the UQ SuPPORT study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and changing patterns of PTSD, major depressive episode (MDE), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adult claimants who sustained a non-catastrophic injury in a road traffic crash (RTC) in Queensland, Australia. METHOD: Participants (N = 284) were assessed at approximately 6, 12, and 24 months post-RTC using the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI) modules for PTSD, and CIDI-short form for MDE, and GAD. RESULTS: The prevalence of at least one of these disorders was 48.2%, 52.5%, and 49.3%, at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Comorbidity was common (20.8% at 6 months, 27.1% at 12 months, and 21.1% at 24 months) and only 33.1% of participants never met PTSD, GAD, or MDE criteria. A substantial proportion of participants (42.3%) had an unstable diagnostic pattern over time. Participants with multiple diagnoses at 6 months were more likely to continue to meet diagnostic criteria for any disorder at 12 and 24 months than participants with a single diagnosis. Participants with PTSD (with or without MDE/GAD) were more likely to meet criteria for any disorder at 24 months than participants with another diagnosis. Preinjury psychiatric history increased the likelihood of any disorder at 24 months post-injury, but did not significantly increase the likelihood of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: People injured in a RTC are at risk of having complex psychological presentations over time. Interventions to prevent mental disorders, especially PTSD, in the early post-injury period are needed to prevent chronic psychological injury, including consideration of comorbidity and dynamic course.

Psychological Predictors of Postconcussive Symptoms Following Traumatic Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of demographics, injury type, pain, and psychological factors on postconcussive symptoms. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Recently injured (n = 54) and noninjured (n = 184) adults were recruited from a hospital emergency department or the community. Thirty-eight individuals met the diagnostic criteria for a mild traumatic brain injury and 16 individuals received treatment for a minor traumatic non-brain injury. MAIN MEASURES: Standardized tests were administered to assess 4 postconcussion symptom types and theorized predictors including a "physiogenic" variable (injury type) and "psychogenic" variables (symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress) within 1 month of the injury. RESULTS: In the injured sample, after controlling for injury type, demographics, and pain (chronic and current), a hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the combination of psychological symptoms predicted affective (F10,42 = 2.80, P = .009, Rchange = 0.27) but not other postconcussion symptoms types. Anxiety (ß = .48), stress (ß = .18), and depression (ß = -.07) were not statistically significant individual predictors (P > .05). Cognitive and vestibular postconcussion symptoms were not predicted by the modeled factors, somatic sensory postconcussion symptoms were predicted by demographic factors only, and the pattern of predictors for the symptom types differed for the samples. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional explanatory models do not account for these findings. The predictors are multifactorial, different for injured versus noninjured samples, and symptom specific.

Recovery trajectories for long-term health-related quality of life following a road traffic crash injury: Results from the UQ SuPPORT study.

BACKGROUND: Diminished physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a common consequence of road traffic crash (RTC) injury. This study aimed to (a) determine the probable recovery trajectories in physical and mental HRQoL; (b) examine the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on HRQoL scores within these trajectory groups; and (c) examine the influence of predictor covariates on trajectory group membership. METHODS: 336 (63% female, Mage =44.72; SD =14.77) injured RTC survivors completed the SF-36v2 at approximately 6, 12, and 24 months after sustaining a RTC injury. Participants also completed telephone interviews to assess prior history of psychological disorder and current PTSD at each wave. RESULTS: Three trajectories were identified for SF-36v2 Physical Component Score (PCS): "gradual recovery" (27.3%);"low but improving" (54.7%); and"severe and chronic" (17.9%). Four trajectories were defined for SF36v2 Mental Component Score (MCS): "unaffected" (19.1%);"severe but improving" (24.1%);"severe and declining" (17.3%); and"low but improving" (39.5%). A PTSD diagnosis significantly reduced SF36v2 component scores only in trajectories associated with poorer outcome. Age was predictive of trajectory group membership for PCS, whereas injury severity was predictive of trajectory group membership for MCS. LIMITATIONS: Use of a compensation seeking sample affects generalizability to the general RTC population. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a concerning subgroup of individuals who have chronic and/or declining physical and mental HRQoL that can be impacted by a diagnosis of PTSD. The development of interventions with a special focus on associated psychological injury is needed to improve the HRQoL of at-risk individuals following RTC injury.

Actigraphically Measured Sleep-Wake Behavior After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare the sleep-wake behavior of individuals following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with that of noninjured healthy controls. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen participants with a recent mTBI (Mage = 28.07; SD = 10.45; n = 10 females) and 34 noninjured controls (Mage = 23.70; SD = 7.30; n = 31 females). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. MAIN MEASURES: Battery of subjective sleep measures and 14 days of sleep-wake monitoring via actigraphy (objective measurement) and concurrent daily sleep diary. RESULTS: Participants who had sustained an mTBI self-reported significantly higher sleep-related impairment, poorer nightly sleep quality, and more frequently met criteria for clinical insomnia, compared with controls (d = 0.76-1.11, large effects). The only significant between-group difference on objective sleep metrics occurred on sleep timing. On average, people with a recent history of mTBI fell asleep and woke approximately 1 hour earlier than did the controls (d = 0.62-0.92, medium to large effects). CONCLUSION: Participants with a history of mTBI had several subjective sleep complaints but relatively few objective sleep changes with the exception of earlier sleep timing. Future research is needed to understand the clinical significance of these findings and how these symptoms can be alleviated. Interventions addressing subjective sleep complaints (eg, cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia) should be tested in this population.

Neurocognitive predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in children 6 months after traumatic brain injury: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Various neurocognitive mechanisms have been proposed to explain the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying comorbid PTSD following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) have not been fully investigated, especially among children. This study prospectively examined the influence of theorized neurocognitive deficits at 3 months post pediatric TBI on the development of PTSD symptoms 6 months postinjury. METHOD: One hundred sixty-six children aged between 6 and 14 years were recruited after sustaining a TBI. Their demographic information and injury severity were assessed at 2 months postinjury, their neurocognitive outcomes in selective attention, sustained attention, verbal learning, working memory, and processing speed were assessed at 3 months postinjury, and PTSD symptoms were measured at 6 months postinjury. RESULTS: Consistent with the Neurobiological Theory of PTSD, sustained attention deficits 3 months postinjury emerged as the key predictor for greater future PTSD severity at 6 months, especially following a mild TBI. However, contrary to the expectations of the Emotional Processing Theory and Dual Representation Theory, verbal learning and working memory deficits at 3 months postinjury protected children from the development of PTSD symptoms 6 months postinjury. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD involves a complex interplay between attention and memory functions post pediatric TBI. When trauma memory is relatively intact, difficulties disengaging from distractors contribute to the development of PTSD symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record

New vignettes for the experimental manipulation of injury cause in prospective mild traumatic brain injury research.

PURPOSE: This study developed standardized vignettes that depict a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) from one of several causes and subjected them to formal expert review. METHOD: A base vignette was developed using the World Health Organization operational criteria for mild TBI. Eight specific causes (e.g. sport vs assault) were examined. A convenience sample of mild TBI experts with a discipline background of Neuropsychology from North America, Australasia and Europe (n = 21) used an online survey to evaluate the vignettes and rated the role of cause on outcome. RESULTS: The vignette suite was rated as fitting the mild TBI WHO operational diagnostic criteria at least moderately well. When compared to other factors, cause was not rated as significantly contributing to outcome. When evaluated in isolation, approximately half of the sample rated cause as important or very important and at least two of three clinical outcomes were associated with a different cause. DISCUSSION: The vignettes may be useful in experimental mild TBI research. They enable the injury parameters to be controlled so that the effects of cause can be isolated and examined empirically. Such studies should advance understanding of the role of this factor in mild TBI outcome.

Poor sleep predicts subacute postconcussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury.

The primary objective was to determine if poor sleep predicts postconcussion symptoms in the subacute period after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The impact of poor sleep pre- and post-injury was examined. The research design was cross-sectional. After screening to detect response invalidity, 61 individuals with a self-reported history of mild TBI 1-to-6 months prior answered an online fixed order battery of standardized questionnaires assessing their sleep (current and preinjury) and persistent postconcussion symptoms (Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, minus sleep, and fatigue items). The sleep measures were the Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a single Likert-scale pre-injury sleep quality rating, and two PROMIS™ measures (sleep-related impairment and sleep disturbance). After controlling for the effects of preinjury sleep quality and demographics, the combination of the sleep measures made a significant contribution to the outcome (F[8,58] = 4.013, p = .001, [Formula: see text]). Only current sleep-related impairment (ß = .60, p < .05) made a significant and unique contribution to neurobehavioral symptoms. Preinjury sleep was not a predictor (ß = -.19, p > .05), although it contributed 3% of the variance in NSI scores after controlling for demographics. Sleep-related impairment is a modifiable factor. As a significant contributor to neurobehavioral symptoms, treatment for post-injury sleep-related impairment warrants further attention.

Resilience and Other Possible Outcomes After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: a Systematic Review.

The relation between resilience and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcome has been theorized but empirical studies have been scarce. This systematic review aimed to describe the research in this area. Electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, SPORTdiscus, and PILOTS) were searched from inception to August 2015 for studies in which resilience was measured following TBI. The search terms included 'TBI' 'concussion' 'postconcussion' 'resilience' and 'hardiness'. Inclusion criteria were peer reviewed original research reports published in English, human participants aged 18 years and over with brain injury, and an accepted definition of mild TBI. Hand searching of identified articles was also undertaken. Of the 71 studies identified, five studies were accepted for review. These studies were formally assessed for risk of bias by two independent reviewers. Each study carried a risk of bias, most commonly a detection bias, but none were excluded on this basis. A narrative interpretation of the findings was used because the studies reflected fundamental differences in the conceptualization of resilience. No studies employed a trajectory based approach to measure a resilient outcome. In most cases, the eligible studies assessed trait resilience with a scale and used it as a predictor of outcome (postconcussion symptoms). Three of these studies showed that greater trait resilience was associated with better mild TBI outcomes (fewer symptoms). Future research of the adult mild TBI response that predicts a resilient outcome is encouraged. These studies could yield empirical evidence for a resilient, and other possible mild TBI outcomes.

Utility of the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory Validity-10 index to detect symptom exaggeration: An analogue simulation study.

The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) has been recommended by the interagency Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Outcome Workgroup as an outcome measure for TBI research. A new symptom exaggeration index-the NSI Validity-10-can be calculated from its items, but its utility has not been evaluated in a malingering simulation study. Data from a prior analogue study were reanalyzed to examine the NSI Validity-10 test properties. The data were from a sample of 85 Australian undergraduate students. A battery of measures was completed under 1 of 3 experimental conditions: control (i.e., honest responding, n = 24), feign postconcussional disorder (PCD; n = 29), and feign posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; n = 32). Participants who feigned PTSD or PCD had significantly higher scores on the NSI Validity-10 compared with controls. There were minimal differences between the 2 feigning groups. Using the combined data from the feigning groups and assuming a 35% symptom exaggeration base rate, the optimal NSI Validity-10 cutoff score was ≥10. This cutoff score identified "probable exaggeration" (sensitivity = .75, specificity = 1.0, positive predictive power = 1.0, negative predictive power = .88). Diagnostic efficiency statistics for 25% and 45% base rates were also generated. The cutoff score identified in this study is lower than previously reported. Its properties are promising, but its usage requires careful consideration.

Assessment method influences the severity and type of symptoms reported after self-reported mild traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of assessment method (spontaneous report versus checklist) on the report of postconcussive syndrome (PCS) symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six participants (58% female) with postacute self-reported mTBI (i.e., sustained 1-6 months prior to participation) and 36 age-, gender-, and ethnicity-matched controls with no history of mTBI. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. MAIN MEASURES: Spontaneous symptom report from open-ended questions and checklist endorsed symptoms from the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (both measures administered online). RESULTS: Assessment method significantly affected individual symptom item frequencies (small to large effects), the number of symptoms reported, the total severity score, domain severity scores (i.e., somatic/sensory, cognitive, and affective symptom domains), and the number of participants who met a PCS caseness criterion (large effects; checklist > spontaneous report). The types of symptoms that were different between the groups differed for the assessment methods: Compared to controls, the nonclinical mTBI group spontaneously reported significantly greater somatic/sensory and cognitive domain severity scores, whilst no domain severity scores differed between groups when endorsed on a checklist. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment method can alter the number, severity, and types of symptoms reported by individuals who have sustained an mTBI and could potentially influence clinical decisions.

The role of psychological resilience and mTBI as predictors of postconcussional syndrome symptomatology.

OBJECTIVE: Resilience is 1 of several factors that are thought to contribute to outcome following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This study explored the predictors of the postconcussional syndrome (PCS) symptoms that can occur following mTBI. We hypothesized that a reported recent mTBI and lower psychological resilience would predict worse reported PCS symptomatology. METHOD: 233 participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Three NSI scores were used to define PCS symptomatology. A total of 35 participants reported an mTBI (as operationally defined by the World Health Organization) that was sustained between 1 and 6 months prior to their participation (positive mTBI history); the remainder reported having never had an mTBI. RESULTS: Regression analyses revealed that a positive reported recent mTBI history and lower psychological resilience were significant independent predictors of reported PCS symptomatology. These results were found for the 3 PCS scores from the NSI, including using a stringent caseness criterion, p < .05. Demographic variables (age and gender) were not related to outcome, with the exception of education in some analyses. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that: (a) both perceived psychological resilience and mTBI history play a role in whether or not PCS symptoms are experienced, even when demographic variables are considered, and (b) of these 2 variables, lower perceived psychological resilience was the strongest predictor of PCS-like symptomatology.

Diagnostic terminology is not associated with contact-sport players' expectations of outcome from mild traumatic brain injury.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of the diagnostic terms 'concussion' and 'mild traumatic brain injury' (mTBI) on contact-sport players' injury perceptions and expected symptoms from a sport-related mTBI. It was hypothesized that contact-sport players would hold more negative injury perceptions and expect greater symptom disturbance from a sport-related injury that was diagnosed as an 'mTBI' compared to 'concussion' or an undiagnosed injury. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One hundred and twenty-two contact-sport players were randomly allocated to one of three conditions in which they read a sport-related mTBI vignette that varied only according to whether the person depicted in the vignette was diagnosed with concussion (n = 40), mTBI (n = 41) or received no diagnosis (control condition; n = 41). After reading the vignette, participants rated their injury perceptions (perceived undesirability, chronicity and consequences) and expectations of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms 6 months post-injury. MAIN OUTCOMES: There were no significant differences in contact-sport players' injury perceptions or symptom expectations from a sport-related mTBI when it was diagnosed as an mTBI, concussion or when no diagnosis was given. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic terminology does not appear to have a potent influence on symptom expectation and injury perceptions in contact-sport players.