Light R, Asarnow R, Satz P, Zaucha K, McCleary C, Lewis R
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, USA.
J Consult Clin Psychol. 1998 Dec;66(6):1023-9. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.66.6.1023.
The issue of whether mild head injuries (HIs) in children cause behavior problems and poor scholastic performance is controversial. This study included 119 children (range = 8-16 years old) with HI, 114 with other injuries, and 106 with no injury (NI). Behavioral functioning was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist; academic functioning, with school grades and standardized testing. Higher T scores were found for both injury groups versus NI participants on preinjury behavioral status. All 3 groups' behavioral scores decreased relative to baseline at 1 year. HI and NI groups did not differ in school grades or achievement testing either pre- or postinjury. These results are consistent with the conclusion that head injury of the mildest type does not increase the probability of new overt behavioral or academic problems.
