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Dissertation
The relationship between daily stress and persistent postconcussion symptoms following a mild traumatic brain injury
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000725
Abstract
The "coping hypothesis" (van Zomeran, Brouwer, & Deelman, 1984) of Postconcussion Syndrome (PCS) suggests that persistent postconcussion symptoms following a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) may result from the chronic efforts by patients to cope with diminished cerebral capacity. While a positive association between daily stress and postconcussion-like symptoms has been established within a college student population, the extent to which daily stress is associated with postconcussion symptomatology in a mild TBI population diagnosed with PCS remains uncertain and thus formed the basis of the present investigation. In addition, this study examined the utility of qualitative factors, such as the frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms, in differentiating clinically significant postconcussion symptoms from stress-related symptoms reported by non brain-injured individuals. Finally, the contributions of diminished cerebral capacity and limited coping skills to postconcussion symptomatology was explored. Eight mild TBI individuals diagnosed with PCS and 8 non brain-injured individuals were matched for age, education, IQ, and race. Daily stress levels and symptoms were tracked over a four-week period using self-report inventories. Measuring symptoms and daily stress over time increased the likelihood of assessing symptoms during low- and high-stress days. Results from the ANOVAs indicated that the mild TBI group endorsed greater frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms compared to the non brain-injured group. Under high stress conditions, the mild TBI group reported a greater relative increase in the frequency and intensity of symptoms compared to the non brain-injured group. When stress was the independent variable, a significant repeated measures effect was revealed for the frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms in the mild TBI group. These findings support the prediction that mild TBI individuals will experience greater postconcussion symptoms during periods of heightened stress. In addition, the present findings suggest that mild TBI individuals are more susceptible to the effects of daily stress than non brain-injured individuals, that postconcussion symptoms are qualitatively different than stress-related symptoms, and that diminished cerebral capacity and limited coping skills contribute to Postconcussion Syndrome. These findings support the "coping hypothesis" and indicate that stress reduction interventions may be beneficial in managing Postconcussion Syndrome.
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Details
- Title
- The relationship between daily stress and persistent postconcussion symptoms following a mild traumatic brain injury
- Creators
- Sutapa Ford
- Contributors
- Douglas L. Chute (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 90 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014970202104721