Teacher, parent, and self-perceptions of social functioning in youth with traumatic brain injury

Date of Award

2016

Degree Name

Ed.S. in School Psychology

Department

Department of Counselor Education & Human Services

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Susan Davies

Abstract

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained during childhood can cause significant negative consequences in not only physical, cognitive, and academic functioning, but also emotional, behavioral and social functioning. These deficits are often interrelated and can adversely affect the individuaĺ⁰₉s daily living, including interactions with others. Social dysfunction is a particularly debilitating problem for children and adolescents who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The social effects of TBI, particularly over time, are infrequently researched and therefore are not well understood by school personnel. This study examined the perceptions of teacher, caregiver and student regarding social functioning following a TBI by 1) comparing teacher and caregiver ratings of social skills at baseline, 6 months post-injury, 12 months post-injury, 18 months post-injury, and 7 years post-injury 2) examining self-ratings of social competence 7 years post-injury in comparison to individuals who sustained an Orthopedic Injury (OI) and 3) comparing self-ratings of social acceptance to caregiver and teacher ratings of social functioning. No significant difference between caregiver and teacher ratings was found; however, a significant difference was detected between teacher ratings of individuals with OI and individuals with TBI. In addition, individuals with TBI did not perceive themselves as having any deficits in social acceptance or global self-worth; there were no significant differences in self-ratings between individuals with TBI and individuals with OI. Lastly, this study found discrepancies between self and parent ratings and self and teacher ratings. Such discrepancies suggest a lack of self-awareness in youth following a TBI.

Keywords

Brain-damaged children Case studies, Social skills in children, Self-esteem in children, Teachers of brain-damaged children, Parents of children with disabilities, Education, Educational Psychology, Psychology, Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, Social Functioning, teacher perceptions, parent perceptions, self-perceptions

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2016, author

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