Short-Term Changes in Romantic Relationship Satisfaction After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI): A Pilot Investigation in an Emergency Department Sample

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; concussion) impacts millions annually and is linked to a host of emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges that have the potential to undermine the stability and quality of close relationships. Despite the high prevalence of mTBI, studies of relationship adjust...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Couple and family psychology 2023-12, Vol.12 (4), p.265-277
Main Authors: Bannon, Sarah M., Fernandes, Rafael Ferreira, Gates, Melissa V., O'Leary, K. Daniel, Brandler, Ethan S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain Concussion
Emergency Services
Female
Human
Inpatient
Major Depression
Male
Relationship Satisfaction
Romance
Traumatic Brain Injury
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Summary:Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; concussion) impacts millions annually and is linked to a host of emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges that have the potential to undermine the stability and quality of close relationships. Despite the high prevalence of mTBI, studies of relationship adjustment following brain injury have almost entirely focused on more severe forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study sought to contribute to this critical gap in the literature by examining the impact of mTBI on the relationship satisfaction of individuals recovering from mTBI. Individuals (N = 30) involved in current romantic relationships were recruited from a suburban emergency department (ED) during their visit for injuries related to mTBI. Self-report measures of mTBI symptoms and relationship satisfaction were administered at baseline (within 2 weeks of injury), assessing retrospective functioning prior to injury, and again assessing functioning 1-month after the mTBI. No significant changes were observed from baseline to 1-month postinjury on indices of relationship satisfaction. However, linear regression analyses indicated that 1-month ratings of mTBI symptoms demonstrated significant cross-sectional associations with romantic relationship satisfaction, while controlling for retrospective ratings of satisfaction prior to injury. Greater initial mTBI symptoms were also related to decreases in relationship satisfaction 1-month postinjury. These findings suggest that mTBI may be a risk factor for decreases in relationship satisfaction if the symptoms do not abate.
ISSN:2160-4096
2160-410X
DOI:10.1037/cfp0000217