Neuropsychological deficit and emotional disturbance in head-injured patients

Abstract

The relationship between neuropsychological deficit and emotional disturbance was examined in a sample of 124 patients who sustained work-related head injuries. Most injuries met criteria for minor head injury. Since all patients were receiving compensation, the relationship between emotional disturbance and neuro-behavioral deficit does not appear to be related to compensation or litigation factors. There was a positive relationship between degree of neurobehavioral and emotional abnormality. This was not due to the interval between injury and examination, and did not appear to be related to duration of unconsciousness or amnesia, or to the presence of skull fracture or posttraumatic seizures. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research and to their implications regarding posttraumatic emotional adjustment.