Research finds that TBI survivors are poorer than non-TBI survivors at recognising emotions.
A study looking into emotion recognition among traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors found that moderate to severe TBI survivors are poorer at recognising emotions, which has a direct effect on social dysfunction.
The researchers tested 32 moderate to severe TBI survivors on a measure of emotion recognition called the Complex Audio-Visual Emotion Assessment Task (CAVEAT). They also completed neuropsychological function tests, and self-report measures of psychosocial functioning. Their results were compared against scores from non-TBI survivors.
Poorer performance on emotional recognition was found in TBI survivors compared to non-TBI survivors. The ability to recognise emotions in TBI survivors was also found to be associated with the number of friends and self-reported apathy.
The researchers emphasise the need for targeted treatment and interventions to improve emotion recognition among TBI survivors due to the direct impact that it has on social dysfunction.
For more information visit https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jnp.12109.
Reference: Rosenberg, H., McDonald, S., Rosenberg, J., & Westbrook, R.F. (2016). Amused, flirting or simply baffled? Is recognition of all emotions affected by traumatic brain injury? Journal of Neuropsychology, 12(2), 145-164.
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