title: Theory of mind in children with traumatic brain injury.
abstract: Theory of mind (ToM) involves thinking about mental states and intentions to understand what other people know and to predict how they will act. We studied ToM in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and age- and gender-matched children with orthopedic injuries (OI), using a new three-frame Jack and Jill cartoon task that measures intentional thinking separate from contingent task demands. In the key ToM trials, which required intentional thinking, Jack switched a black ball from one hat to another of a different color, but Jill did not witness the switch; in the otherwise identical non-ToM trials, the switch was witnessed. Overall accuracy was higher in children with OI than in those with TBI. Children with severe TBI showed a larger decline in accuracy on ToM trials, suggesting a specific deficit in ToM among children with severe TBI. Accuracy was significantly higher on trials following errors than on trials following correct responses, suggesting that all groups monitored performance and responded to errors with increased vigilance. TBI is associated with poorer intentional processing in school-age children and adolescents relative to peers with OI; furthermore, children with TBI are challenged specifically by intentional demands, especially when their injury is severe. (JINS, 2012, 19, 1-9).
authors: Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario. maureen.dennis@sickkids.ca
authors: Maureen
authors: M
authors: Dennis
authors: Nevena
authors: N
authors: Simic
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Gerry Taylor
authors: Erin D
authors: ED
authors: Bigler
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Rubin
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Vannatta
authors: Cynthia A
authors: CA
authors: Gerhardt
authors: Terry
authors: T
authors: Stancin
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Roncadin
authors: Keith Owen
authors: KO
authors: Yeates
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D056345:Theory of Mind