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Friendship Quality and Psychosocial Outcomes among Children with Traumatic Brain Injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2014

Sara Heverly-Fitt ,
Maureen A. Wimsatt ,
Melissa M. Menzer ,
Kenneth H. Rubin ,
Maureen Dennis ,
H. Gerry Taylor ,
Terry Stancin ,
Cynthia A. Gerhardt ,
Kathryn Vannatta  and
Erin D. Bigler
...Show all authors
Sara Heverly-Fitt*
Affiliation:
Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Maureen A. Wimsatt
Affiliation:
Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Melissa M. Menzer
Affiliation:
Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Kenneth H. Rubin
Affiliation:
Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Maureen Dennis
Affiliation:
Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
H. Gerry Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
Terry Stancin
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
Cynthia A. Gerhardt
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Kathryn Vannatta
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Erin D. Bigler
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Science and Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University
Keith Owen Yeates
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Sara Heverly-Fitt, Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, 3304 Benjamin Building, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742. E-mail: sfitt@umd.edu
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Abstract

This study examined differences in friendship quality between children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and orthopedic injury (OI) and behavioral outcomes for children from both groups. Participants were 41 children with TBI and 43 children with OI (M age=10.4). Data were collected using peer- and teacher-reported measures of participants’ social adjustment and parent-reported measures of children’s post-injury behaviors. Participants and their mutually nominated best friends also completed a measure of the quality of their friendships. Children with TBI reported significantly more support and satisfaction in their friendships than children with OI. Children with TBI and their mutual best friend were more similar in their reports of friendship quality compared to children with OI and their mutual best friends. Additionally, for children with TBI who were rejected by peers, friendship support buffered against maladaptive psychosocial outcomes, and predicted skills related to social competence. Friendship satisfaction was related to higher teacher ratings of social skills for the TBI group only. Positive and supportive friendships play an important role for children with TBI, especially for those not accepted by peers. Such friendships may protect children with TBI who are rejected against maladaptive psychosocial outcomes, and promote skills related to social competence. (JINS, 2014, 21, 1–10)

Keywords

PediatricBehaviorRejectionHeadTraumaSocial competence
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 20 , Issue 7 , August 2014 , pp. 684 - 693
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2014 

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