Exploring Health-Related Social Needs and Components of Social Competence Following Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury

Health-related social needs (HRSNs) impact general health care and educational outcomes for children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families. Furthermore, children with TBI of all severities experience negative social competence outcomes chronically postinjury. However, studies have not investigated the relationship between HRSNs and social competence outcomes for children after TBI. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between HRSNs and components of social competence (i.e., social skills, social communication, family functioning, and behavioral domains per the biopsychosocial framework for social competence) for children with TBI, per parent report.

This study used a prospective, cross-sectional study design with a convenience sample. Online surveys were completed by parents of children with TBI (N = 22). On average, children with TBI were 4.84 years old at the time of their TBI and 9.24 years old at the time of study participation.

Having a parent identify an HRSN in the domain of mental health was associated with social communication and family functioning difficulties for children with TBI. Statistically significant relationships were found between social communication and family functioning, externalizing behavior, and total behavior; family functioning and social relations; and family functioning and externalizing behavior.

The findings of this study support that children with TBI experience chronic deficits in components of social competence, and HRSNs are associated with these outcomes. Further research needs to consider HRSNs to improve equitable prevention, supports, and services for children with TBI.