Neuropsychological sequelae, familial stress, and environmental adaptation following pediatric head injury

Abstract

This study investigated the long‐term neurobehavioral recovery of 18 children who had sustained moderate to severe head injuries (HIs).1 A sibling comparison group composed of 12 brothers and sisters of the HI children was utilized to control for genetic and socioeconomic variability. A comprehensive battery of intellectual, academic, and neuropsychological tests revealed relatively few differences between the two groups. However, the apparent cognitive recovery of the HI children did not extend to functional outcomes. Interviews and questionnaire data collected from parents and teachers indicated that the HI children displayed more problem behaviors, were less socially competent, and showed less adaptive living skills than their brothers and sisters. Additionally, the HI children placed more stress on the parent‐child relationship than did the control children.