IQ profiles are associated with differences in behavioral functioning following pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Research suggests that IQ profiles identify subgroups of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) based on sparing and impairment of cognitive abilities, but little information is available regarding whether these subgroups are differentiated on variables that are important for TBI outcome, such as behavioral functioning. The current study examined behavioral disturbances in 123 children with TBI in association with profiles of intellectual abilities identified using cluster analysis. On the basis of prior research, four clusters were hypothesized. Consistent with the hypothesis, cluster analysis identified four IQ clusters in the current sample. Comparisons among the clusters on behavior variables assessed from the Behavioral Assessment System for Children parent ratings indicated significant differences among the four IQ clusters, with the most impaired cluster exhibiting the severest disturbances. Results of the current study indicate that subgroups of children with TBI can be identified using IQ tests and that these subgroups are stable across different samples, and more importantly are moderately associated with behavioral disturbances that persist during the recovery period.