Investigating the relationship between social cognition, neuropsychological function and post-traumatic stress disorder in acquired brain injury

Literature suggests that aspects of social cognition, as well as neuropsychological difficulties play a key role in the development and maintenance of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in brain injury survivors. The present study aimed to explore the direct relationship between measures of neuropsychological function and social cognition, and psychological outcomes related to PTSD. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational design was employed, using correlational and multivariate regression methods of analysis. Forty-nine adult brain injury survivors were administered a range of measures of neuropsychological function (memory, executive function and attention); social cognition (Mentalization, emotion recognition, social judgment making and emotion-based decision-making) and Psychological outcomes related to PTSD (depression, anxiety, anger and PTSD symptoms). Significant relationships were found between measures of Mentalization, attention and memory, and symptoms relating to depression and PTSD. Selective visual attention and Mentalization were found to account for 37% of the relevant variance for depressive symptoms, while Mentalization and delayed memory recall accounted for 24% of the relevant variance for PTSD symptoms. Different measures of Mentalization showed unexpected correlation directions, which had significant implications for the role Mentalization might play in maintaining PTSD symptoms. The findings suggest an association between aspects of social cognition and neuropsychological functioning, and psychological outcomes related to PTSD. It is thought that impairments in these areas could play a role in maintaining these outcomes in Acquired Brain Injury survivors.