The relationships among premilitary vocational aptitude assessment, traumatic brain injury, and postdeployment cognitive functioning in combat veterans.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans is frequently associated with a variety of complaints, including cognitive problems and posttraumatic stress disorder. In this study, the authors explored the predictive impact of premilitary cognitive abilities on postdeployment cognitive functioning, as mitigated by posttraumatic stress symptoms in a sample of veterans with and without history of TBI. Measures included clinical interview, neuropsychological tests, the PTSD Checklist-Military Version, and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. In contrast to history of TBI, premilitary abilities and posttraumatic stress symptoms emerged as significant predictors of postdeployment cognitive deficits.
Center for Integrated Healthcare, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA Paul.King2@va.gov.
Paul R
PR
King
Behavioral Health Careline, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA.
Kerry T
KT
Donnelly
Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
Michael
M
Wade
Canisius College, Buffalo, NY 14208, USA.
James P
JP
Donnelly
Behavioral Health Careline, Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
Mina
M
Dunnam
Behavioral Health Careline, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY 14424, USA.
Gary
G
Warner
Behavioral Health Careline, Bath VA Medical Center, Bath, NY 14810, USA.
C J
CJ
Kittleson
Behavioral Health Careline, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
Charles B
CB
Bradshaw
Behavioral Health Careline, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA.
Michelle
M
Alt
D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001076:Aptitude; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D014728:Veterans; D055815:Young Adult
Assessment; Executive functions; Head injury; Intelligence; Learning and memory; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Traumatic brain injury