INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 03 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 09:30 am - 10:40 am Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 03: Neurotrauma \| Neurovascular Final Abstract #9 The Impact of Age on Emotional Outcomes Post mTBI Bailey Balloun, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States Benjamin Wenzel, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States Ethan Martin, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States Jen Kern, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States Whitman Kent, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States Ben Pyykkonen, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States Dan Han, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States Category: Concussion/Mild TBI (Adult) Keyword 1: traumatic brain injury Keyword 2: aging (normal) Objective: Poor recovery after mTBI has been associated with pre-injury mental health status and emotional distress, but the impact of age is less well understood. Research indicates mTBI increases risk for negative emotional outcomes in both younger and older adult populations (Fann et al., 1995; Abdulle & Van der Naalt, 2019, p. 8; Goldman et al., 2001). Existing research has not adequately investigated the role of age at time of injury and its relationship to emotional outcomes. When examining the literature exploring the relationship between age and emotional outcomes post-mTBI, a study by Van der Naalt et al. (2017) found those aged 65 and older had better recovery rates (i.e., emotional and functional outcomes) than those aged 40–64 years (58% vs 49%). In contrast, Mosenthal et al (2004) suggest functional recovery post mTBI was similar at 6 months post injury for older (>60 years) and younger adults. The current study explored emotional outcomes of individuals sustaining mTBI by age group (children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults). Participants and Methods: 343 cases were extracted from an archival clinical database of individuals receiving neuropsychological evaluation following mTBI. Age was categorized into 4 groups: children (<12), adolescents (ages 13 to 16), young adults (ages 17 to 29), and adults (>30). Emotional distress was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory for Youth (BAI-Y) and Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y), and the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) for Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety symptom endorsement. The emotionally distressed group includes those exceeding cut scores ≥9 for Major Depression symptoms and a cut score of 7 for Generalized Anxiety symptoms on the PDSQ. Additionally, the emotionally distressed group includes a T-score cut of 55 on the BAI-Y and a T-score of 55 on the relevant BDI-Y subscales. Results: Chi-square test of independence exploring emotional distress by age group following mTBI was significant χ2 (3, N = 343) = 15.768, p = <.001, indicating different rates of clinically significant emotional distress by age group. The proportions of individuals reporting distress by each age group was as follows: children (26%), adolescents (29%), adults (51%), and older adults (47%). Conclusions: These findings are consistent with previous literature suggesting significant correlation between age and emotional distress following mTBI. The current study indicated increased presence of clinically significant emotional distress increased following mTBI with increased age. Further clarification related to specific risk and resilience factors including specific injury characteristics and premorbid factors is warranted. In this sample, the adult and older adult groups demonstrated almost twice the rate of clinically significant emotional distress when compared to children and adolescents following mTBI. This may be consistent with previous research indicating temperament and the developmental stage of the child may impact emotional awareness and therefore reporting of distress. However, the resilience in development and recovery in children may depend on environmental factors and basic human protective systems operating in their favor (Caffo & Belaise, 2003). Additional research is needed to clarify the potential differences between age groups and emotional outcomes following mTBI.

Poster

02/15/2024
09:30 am - 10:40 am
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 03: Neurotrauma | Neurovascular

Final Abstract #9

The Impact of Age on Emotional Outcomes Post mTBI

Bailey Balloun, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States
Benjamin Wenzel, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States
Ethan Martin, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States
Jen Kern, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States
Whitman Kent, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States
Ben Pyykkonen, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States
Dan Han, Wheaton College, Wheaton, United States

Category: Concussion/Mild TBI (Adult)

Keyword 1: traumatic brain injury
Keyword 2: aging (normal)

Objective:

Poor recovery after mTBI has been associated with pre-injury mental health status and emotional distress, but the impact of age is less well understood. Research indicates mTBI increases risk for negative emotional outcomes in both younger and older adult populations (Fann et al., 1995; Abdulle & Van der Naalt, 2019, p. 8; Goldman et al., 2001). Existing research has not adequately investigated the role of age at time of injury and its relationship to emotional outcomes. When examining the literature exploring the relationship between age and emotional outcomes post-mTBI, a study by Van der Naalt et al. (2017) found those aged 65 and older had better recovery rates (i.e., emotional and functional outcomes) than those aged 40–64 years (58% vs 49%). In contrast, Mosenthal et al (2004) suggest functional recovery post mTBI was similar at 6 months post injury for older (>60 years) and younger adults. The current study explored emotional outcomes of individuals sustaining mTBI by age group (children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults).

Participants and Methods:

343 cases were extracted from an archival clinical database of individuals receiving neuropsychological evaluation following mTBI. Age was categorized into 4 groups: children (<12), adolescents (ages 13 to 16), young adults (ages 17 to 29), and adults (>30). Emotional distress was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory for Youth (BAI-Y) and Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y), and the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) for Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety symptom endorsement. The emotionally distressed group includes those exceeding cut scores ≥9 for Major Depression symptoms and a cut score of 7 for Generalized Anxiety symptoms on the PDSQ. Additionally, the emotionally distressed group includes a T-score cut of 55 on the BAI-Y and a T-score of 55 on the relevant BDI-Y subscales.

Results:

Chi-square test of independence exploring emotional distress by age group following mTBI was significant χ2 (3, N = 343) = 15.768, p = <.001, indicating different rates of clinically significant emotional distress by age group. The proportions of individuals reporting distress by each age group was as follows: children (26%), adolescents (29%), adults (51%), and older adults (47%).

Conclusions:

These findings are consistent with previous literature suggesting significant correlation between age and emotional distress following mTBI. The current study indicated increased presence of clinically significant emotional distress increased following mTBI with increased age. Further clarification related to specific risk and resilience factors including specific injury characteristics and premorbid factors is warranted. In this sample, the adult and older adult groups demonstrated almost twice the rate of clinically significant emotional distress when compared to children and adolescents following mTBI. This may be consistent with previous research indicating temperament and the developmental stage of the child may impact emotional awareness and therefore reporting of distress. However, the resilience in development and recovery in children may depend on environmental factors and basic human protective systems operating in their favor (Caffo & Belaise, 2003). Additional research is needed to clarify the potential differences between age groups and emotional outcomes following mTBI.