A model of personality change after traumatic brain injury and the development of the Brain Injury Personality Scales

Abstract

The information obtained from the interviews with the TBI survivors and the SOs produced two models with a similar structure: three superordinate factors of personality items (affective regulation, behavioural regulation and engagement) and one superordinate factor of items relevant to mental state (restlessness and range of thought). Despite the similarity in structure, the content of the information obtained from the two interviews was different.

Changes in personality after mild traumatic brain injury from primary blast vs. blunt forces

“…In another study of the Five Factor Model, the results showed an increase in Neuroticism and decreases in Extraversion and Conscientiousness, but these changes were no different between the patients with TBI and those with other bodily injuries [62]. Finally, investigators developed Brain Injury Personality Scales based on information provided by the patients and their SO's [63]. Although the patients and SO's gave different information, factor analysis revealed the importance of the personality factors of affective regulation, behavioural regulation and engagement.…”

A Meta-Analytic Review of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2nd Edition (MMPI-2) Profile Elevations Following Traumatic Brain Injury

“…While some of these scales relate to personality (e.g., scale 0 assesses introversion), the MMPI-2 clinical scales were designed to measure psychopathology. Though it is important to assess psychopathology after TBI (studies often show elevated post-injury psychopathology rates; Silver et al, 2010), uncovering the mechanisms of post-TBI personality disturbance probably requires using personality measures (e.g., the NEO PI-R for general personality, Costa & McCrae, 1992; experimental NEO PI-R, Haigler & Widiger, 2001, or MMPI-2 PSY-5 scales, Harkness, McNulty, & Ben-Porath, 1995, for maladaptive personality; or Brain Injury Personality Scales for personality disturbances directly related to TBI, Obonsawin et al, 2007).…”

“…Its descriptions range from simple delineations (e.g., personality change vs. no change; Brooks & McKinlay, 1983;Weddell & Leggett, 2006) to comprehensive models (e.g., Max, Castillo, Lindgren, & Arndt, 1996;Obonsawin et al, 2007). The few available comprehensive frameworks were developed mainly in the service of creating assessment tools.…”

“…The few available comprehensive frameworks were developed mainly in the service of creating assessment tools. For example, Obonsawin et al (2007) created a model, which is assessed with the Brain Injury Personality Scales, based on post-TBI personality changes endorsed by individuals with TBI and their significant others. Though descriptions of post-TBI personality disturbance overlap a great deal (e.g., most include depressiveness, irritability, and anxiousness), no consensus definition exists.…”

“…The Brain Injury Personality Scales (Obonsawin et al, 2007), Current Personality Scales (McKinlay, Brooks, Bond, Martinage, & Marshall, 1981), and Neuropsychiatric Rating Schedule (Max, 1992) were designed expressly to measure post-TBI personality changes and provide the most comprehensive assessment (e.g., Brain Injury Personality Scales assess 34 post-TBI personality disturbances). Measures of post-TBI Bbehavior changes^(e.g., Head Injury Behaviour Scale, Godfrey et al, 2003;Overt Behaviour Scale, Todd, Kelly, & Simpson, 2002;Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory, Kreutzer, Seel, & Marwitz, 1999;Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, Cicerone & Kalmar, 1995) assess characteristics often also referred to as personality disturbances (e.g., aggressiveness, depression, irritability, social inappropriateness, childishness, and impulsivity).…”