title: A systematic review of psychosocial outcomes within 2 years of paediatric traumatic brain injury in a school-aged population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically review the results of investigative research into psychosocial outcomes following paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children of school-age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches were conducted using PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Science Direct. Three hundred and ninety papers were identified, of which 17 met inclusion criteria. Citation searches uncovered 28 further studies. All 44 studies were appraised in terms of their methodological rigour (e.g. sample characteristics, measures utilized, control groups employed).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The papers reviewed described outcomes across domains of behavioural, emotional, adaptive and parent/family functioning. Studies describing behavioural functioning post-injury demonstrated least consistent results. Papers examining emotional, adaptive and parent/family outcomes found that those with head injury presented with poorer functioning than other paediatric populations. Injury severity was commonly identified as a significant predictor of outcome, as were several pre-injury psychosocial factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inconsistencies in results may have arisen due to the heterogeneous populations studied and methodologies employed. Research which examines the reliability of assessment measures is needed. Given the high prevalence of difficulties, psychosocial assessment is warranted in this population.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Psychosocial Service, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital , Manchester , UK and.
authors.forename: Sian Olivia
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Trenchard
authors.forename: Stewart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rust
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bunton
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012107:Research Design; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult