Neurobehavioral symptoms by gender and experience of nightmares after traumatic brain injury

The purpose of this study is to assess how neurobehavioral symptoms following traumatic brain injury (TBI) may differ based on gender and the experience of nightmares. Research Method/Design: This cross-sectional study of community-dwelling adults ≥ 3 months post-TBI (n = 110) assessed differences in neurobehavioral symptoms between women (n = 41) and men (n = 69) by experience of nightmares. Outcome measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool subscales for negative affect, substance abuse, executive functioning, fatigue, impulsivity, and maladaptive coping.

N = 22 participants (n = 7 women, n = 15 men) experienced nightmares at least "sometimes" over the past 2 weeks. Nightmares were associated with more substance abuse, negative affect, fatigue, maladaptive coping, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms (ps < .02). Women reported more negative affect, maladaptive coping, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms (ps < .05) than men. Men experiencing nightmares reported more substance use than men without nightmares (p = .036), a difference not seen in women (p = .233). Women experiencing nightmares reported more impulsivity than women without nightmares (p = .028), a difference not seen in men (p = .559).

Nightmares, post-TBI, are associated with more neurobehavioral symptoms. However, symptom patterns associated with nightmares may differ by gender. Nightmares may be a symptom of, or contribute to, sleep disruptions post-TBI or may indicate other conditions, like posttraumatic stress disorder. Future research should examine gender differences in neurobehavioral symptoms post-TBI in the context of nightmares and/or sleep disorders. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).