Relationship between depression and psychosocial functioning after traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between depression and psychosocial functioning up to 5 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Longitudinal cohort study with 2 assessments completed.


METHODS
Community.


METHODS
Individuals (N=188) with TBI living in the community.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Structured Clinical Interview for Depression, self-reports of depression severity, functional symptoms, quality of life (QOL), unmet important needs, and psychosocial functioning.


RESULTS
Based on observed depression patterns at initial and repeat assessment, 4 subgroups were created: no depression, resolved depression, late-onset depression, and chronic depression. Groups were equivalent in terms of demographic and injury-related factors but differed significantly in perceived psychosocial functioning. The no-depression group reported fewer depressive symptoms and higher levels of psychosocial functioning, whereas the chronic-depression group reported the poorest psychosocial functioning, with a further decline in QOL at reassessment. Although the resolved-depression and late-onset-depression groups reported similar psychosocial functioning at initial assessment, psychosocial functioning had improved for the resolved-depression group and declined for the late-onset-depression group at reassessment. Pre- and postpsychiatric diagnoses were common in all groups, with pre-TBI diagnosis of depression not predictive of post-TBI depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the need for broad-based assessments and timely interventions for both mood and psychosocial challenges after TBI.
Hibbard
Mary R
MR
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. mary.hibbard@mssm.edu
Ashman
Teresa A
TA
Spielman
Lisa A
LA
Chun
Doris
D
Charatz
Heather J
HJ
Melvin
Seton
S
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life