Gender differences in cognitive and emotional adjustment to traumatic brain injury

This study examined gender differences in cognitive and emotional status af ter traumatic brain injury (TBI) among 262 men and 140 women with TBI refer red for neuropsychological evaluations. In this cross-sectional study, cogn ition was measured in terms of both absolute level of functioning (i.e., ra w/standard scores) and estimated decline from premorbid levels expressed as z-deficit scores in the following domains: intelligence [Wechsler Adult In telligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R)], memory and attention [Wechsler Memory S cale-Revised (WMS-R)], processing speed (Trails A), and cognitive flexibili ty (Trails B). Emotional functioning was measured in terms of depression (B eck Depression Inventory) and general emotional distress (Brief Symptom Inv entory). Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric one-way ANOVAs indicated that women a nd men differed significantly on 2 of 8 raw/standard cognitive scores [men demonstrated lower WMS-R General Memory (p < .05) and Trails B scores (p < .0001) and 4 of 8 relative decline scores [women demonstrated more estimate d change in VIQ (Verbal IQ) [p < .0001], FSIQ (Full Scale IQ) [p < .01], an d Attention (p < .01)]; men demonstrated greater estimated z-decline scores on Trails B (p < .01)]. Women reported significantly higher levels of depr ession (p < .01), but men endorsed significantly greater general psychologi cal distress (p < .05). Research and assessment recommendations are suggest ed.