Theory of mind skills 1 year after traumatic brain injury in 6- to 8-year-old children |
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| Authors: | Nicolay Chertkoff Walz Keith Owen Yeates H. Gerry Taylor Terry Stancin Shari L. Wade |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Pediatrics, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University & Center for Biobehavioral Health, Columbus, Ohio, USA;2. Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Pediatric Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;3. Division of Pediatric Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, MetroHealth Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;4. Divison of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio, USA University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study examined the longer-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on theory of mind (ToM) skills of children who were between the ages of 5 and 7 years at the time of injury. Fifty-two children with orthopaedic injury, 30 children with moderate TBI, and 12 children with severe TBI were evaluated approximately 1 year post-injury (mean age=6.98 years, SD=0.59, range=6.02–8.26). Children with severe TBI did not engage in representation of first- and second-order mental states at a developmental level comparable to their peers, suggesting stagnation or lack of development, as well as regression of putatively existing ToM skills. Age, task-specific cognitive demands, and verbal abilities were strong predictors of ToM performance. However, even after taking those factors into account, children with severe TBI had poorer ToM performance than children with orthopaedic injuries. |
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