Friendship quality and psychosocial outcomes among children with traumatic brain injury.
This study examined differences in friendship quality between children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and orthopedic injury (OI) and behavioral outcomes for children from both groups. Participants were 41 children with TBI and 43 children with OI (M age=10.4). Data were collected using peer- and teacher-reported measures of participants' social adjustment and parent-reported measures of children's post-injury behaviors. Participants and their mutually nominated best friends also completed a measure of the quality of their friendships. Children with TBI reported significantly more support and satisfaction in their friendships than children with OI. Children with TBI and their mutual best friend were more similar in their reports of friendship quality compared to children with OI and their mutual best friends. Additionally, for children with TBI who were rejected by peers, friendship support buffered against maladaptive psychosocial outcomes, and predicted skills related to social competence. Friendship satisfaction was related to higher teacher ratings of social skills for the TBI group only. Positive and supportive friendships play an important role for children with TBI, especially for those not accepted by peers. Such friendships may protect children with TBI who are rejected against maladaptive psychosocial outcomes, and promote skills related to social competence.
1Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology,University of Maryland,College Park,Maryland.
Sara
S
Heverly-Fitt
1Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology,University of Maryland,College Park,Maryland.
Maureen A
MA
Wimsatt
1Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology,University of Maryland,College Park,Maryland.
Melissa M
MM
Menzer
1Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology,University of Maryland,College Park,Maryland.
Kenneth H
KH
Rubin
2Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health,The Hospital for Sick Children,Toronto.
Maureen
M
Dennis
3Department of Pediatrics,Case Western Reserve University,and Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital,Cleveland,Ohio.
H Gerry
HG
Taylor
3Department of Pediatrics,Case Western Reserve University,and Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital,Cleveland,Ohio.
Terry
T
Stancin
4Department of Pediatrics,The Ohio State University,and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital,Columbus,Ohio.
Cynthia A
CA
Gerhardt
4Department of Pediatrics,The Ohio State University,and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital,Columbus,Ohio.
Kathryn
K
Vannatta
5Department of Psychological Science and Neuroscience Center,Brigham Young University.
Erin D
ED
Bigler
4Department of Pediatrics,The Ohio State University,and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital,Columbus,Ohio.
Keith Owen
KO
Yeates
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010379:Peer Group; D012919:Social Behavior