Behavioral inhibition and activation systems in traumatic brain injury

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Personality influences health outcomes and cognitive appraisal.
• Research on personality changes post-Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is limited.
• Gray's Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS) theory offers a neurobiological framework for personality relevant to TBI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the theoretical and psychometric properties of the BIS/BAS scale in adults with TBI.
• To investigate the relationship between BIS/BAS personality traits and TBI.
• To assess neurobehavioral changes associated with TBI using personality measures.

Main Methods:

• Study included 81 adults with complicated-mild to severe TBI and 76 significant others (SOs).
• Utilized the BIS/BAS scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Awareness Questionnaire.
• Compared BIS/BAS scores between TBI patients and their SOs, and correlated scores with injury severity.

Main Results:

• BIS/BAS scale demonstrated good internal consistency in the TBI group.
• TBI group showed significantly higher BAS scores compared to the SO group.
• Injury severity positively correlated with BAS; awareness of deficits moderated BIS/BAS-affect relationships.

Conclusions:

• TBI is associated with increased approach behavior (BAS) but not avoidance behavior (BIS).
• Findings align with neurobiological theories of TBI-related personality change.
• The BIS/BAS scale is a promising tool for personality assessment in TBI populations.