Role of deployment-related mTBI and resilience in perceived participation limitations among Veterans

ABSTRACT

Problems with social functioning are common following combat deployment, and these may be greater among individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present investigation examined the impact of mild TBI (mTBI), deployment-related characteristics, and resilience on perceived participation limitations among combat Veterans. This was a cross-sectional study of 143 participants with a history of at least one deployment-related mTBI (TBI group) and 80 without a history of lifetime TBI (Comparison group). Self-report measures of participation, resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and combat exposure were administered. In addition, each participant completed a structured interview to assess lifetime TBI history. The groups did not differ in basic demographics, but significant differences were found for perceived limitations in participation, the presence of PTSD symptoms, and intensity of combat exposure. A stepwise model indicated a significant effect of resilience on reported limitations in participation (adjusted R² = 0.61). Individuals with higher resiliency reported a higher degree of social participation, and this effect was stronger in the TBI group. Deployment-related characteristics, including intensity of combat exposure, did not have a significant effect (adjusted R² = 0.28) on social participation. The role of resilience should be recognized within post-deployment transition and rehabilitation programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Veterans
• mild traumatic brain injury
• social participation
• resilience
• psychological
• posttraumatic stress disorders

Data availability statement

Data are available on request from the authors. The data that support the findings of this study are available upon submission of a reasonable request to [email protected] and the receipt of necessary approvals.

Disclaimer

The views, opinion, and/or findings contained in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the Defense Health Agency, Department of Defense, or any other US government agency.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This material is based upon work supported in part by United States (US) Department of Veterans Affairs Merit Review Awards Numbers [I01 CX001820] (PI Scheibel, RS), B6812C (PI-Levin, HS), and [O1062-I] (PI-Scheibel RS). In addition, this work was prepared under contract number HT0014-19-C-0004 with DHA Contracting Office (CO-NCR) HT0014 and, therefore, is defined as US Government work under Title 17 U.S.C.§101. Per Title 17 U.S.C.§105, copyright protection is not available for any work of the US Government.