Neurobiological Correlates Of Personality And Emotional Expression In Traumatic Brain Injury

NEUROBIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF PERSONALITY AND EMOTIONALEXPRESSION IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURYby Christina G. WongDecember 2013Advisor: Dr. Lisa J. RapportMajor: Psychology (Clinical)Degree: Master of Arts Many individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience cognitive, emotional, andfunctional deficits, all of which can contribute to chronic stress. Unfortunately, individuals withTBI often engage in less effective coping than non-brain-injured individuals, which has negativeimplications for rehabilitation. Differences in personality traits have been linked to individualdifferences in coping styles, physiological stress reactivity, and emotional disclosure. Researchon personality and coping after TBI has been sparse. Thus, the present study examined theinfluence of TBI on the pattern of the relationships between personality, emotional expression,and stress reactivity. Eighty-one adults who sustained moderate to severe TBI and 76 significantothers of individuals with TBI participated. Personality was assessed using the BehavioralInhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scale, and self-report of affectivitywas measured with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Verbal and nonverbalemotional expression were gleaned from a 3-minute videotaped speech task for whichparticipants were asked to talk about stressful aspects of recovery from brain injury.