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Published on: January 20, 2023
Self-Reported Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Biopsychosocial Risk Factors in Siblings of Individuals with
Brittany Wolff1, Emma J Glasson2,3, Talin Babikian4
1Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, California.
Insights
Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) have higher rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated risks. Early TBI in these siblings impacts psychiatric health and family dynamics, highlighting needs for targeted support.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) face unique risks.
- These risks can overlap with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and affect recovery.
- Understanding these overlapping factors is crucial for effective support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare TBI and biopsychosocial risk factors in siblings of individuals with and without NDCs.
- To characterize the relationship between TBI history and other risk factors in this population.
Main Methods:
- Bayesian analyses were used to compare risk factors.
- 632 siblings (207 NDC, 425 controls) aged 10-30 participated.
- Self-reported lifetime TBI history was a key measure.
Main Results:
- Siblings with NDCs reported higher lifetime TBI rates (14.98%) than controls (6.35%).
- Multiple TBIs and earlier onset were common in the NDC group.
- TBI history correlated with psychiatric diagnoses, NDC traits, poorer parent-child relationships, and socioeconomic factors.
Conclusions:
- Siblings of individuals with NDCs have an elevated risk for TBI.
- TBI in this group is linked to psychiatric issues and adverse family factors.
- Findings support enhanced TBI education, screening, and family support for NDCs.
Abstract:
Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) are situated within a complex system of risk and resilience factors for poor outcomes, many of which overlap with the risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and correlate with poorer recovery trajectories. This study used Bayesian analyses to characterize and compare TBI and biopsychosocial risk factors among 632 siblings (207 NDC, 425 controls; mean age 20.54 years, range 10-30, 78.48% female). NDC siblings had a higher self-reported lifetime history of TBI compared to controls (14.98% versus 6.35%), with most reporting more than one TBI, and at an earlier age. TBI history was associated with psychiatric diagnoses and subclinical NDC features. Family and structural factors related to TBI included poorer parent-child relationship, NDC diagnoses of autism or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, minority ethnicity, and lower income. Findings have implications for health literacy, TBI education and screening, and implementation of family support.
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