Emily H Despins1, Lyn S Turkstra2, Margaret A Struchen3, Allison N Clark3. 1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI. 2. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI. Electronic address: lsturkstra@wisc.edu. 3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Brain Injury Research Center, Texas Institute of Rehabilitation Research Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify sex-based differences in self-reported and close other-reported perceptions of communication behaviors in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Between-groups comparison of questionnaire data from men and women with TBI and their close others. SETTING: University academic department. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with medically documented TBI (n=160) and adults without TBI (n=81; control group) (N=241). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: La Trobe Communication Questionnaire, a standardized measure of communication problems in everyday life. RESULTS: Participants with TBI endorsed more communication problems than controls (P<.001). There were no significant differences in self-ratings (P=.20) or in the ratings of close others (P=.09) in communication behaviors of men with TBI compared with women with TBI. There was no difference between the self-ratings of women with TBI and their close others (P=.59). However, men with TBI significantly underreported communication problems compared with reports of close others (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with TBI might be more accurate than men with TBI in recognizing their own pragmatic communication problems.
OBJECTIVE: To identify sex-based differences in self-reported and close other-reported perceptions of communication behaviors in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Between-groups comparison of questionnaire data from men and women with TBI and their close others. SETTING: University academic department. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with medically documented TBI (n=160) and adults without TBI (n=81; control group) (N=241). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: La Trobe Communication Questionnaire, a standardized measure of communication problems in everyday life. RESULTS:Participants with TBI endorsed more communication problems than controls (P<.001). There were no significant differences in self-ratings (P=.20) or in the ratings of close others (P=.09) in communication behaviors of men with TBI compared with women with TBI. There was no difference between the self-ratings of women with TBI and their close others (P=.59). However, men with TBI significantly underreported communication problems compared with reports of close others (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS:Women with TBI might be more accurate than men with TBI in recognizing their own pragmatic communication problems.
Authors: Eve M Valera; Annie-Lori C Joseph; Katherine Snedaker; Matthew J Breiding; Courtney L Robertson; Angela Colantonio; Harvey Levin; Mary Jo Pugh; Deborah Yurgelun-Todd; Rebekah Mannix; Jeffrey J Bazarian; L Christine Turtzo; Lyn S Turkstra; Lisa Begg; Diana M Cummings; Patrick S F Bellgowan Journal: J Head Trauma Rehabil Date: 2021-01-01 Impact factor: 3.117