Abstract
This study investigated awareness in mild closed head injured (CHI) patients by comparing patient and significant other ratings on personality and neuropsychological items. Twenty CHI patients, their significant others, and 20 control participants and their significant others completed the DSM-IV aligned, Coolidge Axis II Inventory. The CHI group rated themselves significantly higher than controls on the neuropsychological dysfunction scale indicative, perhaps, not only of an awareness of deficits, but even a kind of hyperawareness of deficits. The CHI group also rated themselves significantly lower than the controls on the emotional control scale. There were no differences between the two groups in their self-ratings or on the significant other ratings on the executive function (EF) deficits, anxiety, depression, or social interactions scales. Overall, CHI patients more often appeared hyperaware of their neuropsychological deficits and emotional limitations than unaware of these deficits. The discussion explores implications of the findings.
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Coolidge, F.L., Mull, C.E., Becker, L.A. et al. Hyperawareness of Neuropsychological Deficits in Patients with Mild Closed Head Injuries: A Preliminary Investigation. International Journal of Rehabilitation and Health 4, 193–198 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022910814484
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022910814484