The Effect of Armed Forces Qualification Test Score on Mental Health Outcome Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Abstract
Various studies in both military and nonmilitary samples have identified intelligence as a correlate of psychological outcomes. Higher intelligence scores are protective against the development of psychological disorders and may also protect against brain injury-related cognitive decline. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between preinjury intelligence and mental health outcomes among combat veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Military personnel injured in Iraq between 2004 and 2007 were identified from theater clinical records and grouped into MTBI (n = 1069) and non-MTBI (n = 1911). Preinjury intelligence was assessed using the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. A retrospective review was conducted to identify those with postinjury mental health disorders (ICD-9-CM codes 290-319). Those with MTBI had higher overall rates of mental health disorder compared with non-MTBI. In the MTBI group, AFQT score was lower among those with a mental health diagnosis after adjusting for covariates (adjusted mean AFQT 54.1 vs. 57.9, p < 0.01). A similar association was not found in the non-MTBI group. Additional research should explore the utility of using preinjury intelligence to identify high-risk MTBI sub-groups.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA561543
Entities
People
- Amber L. Dougherty
- Andrew J. MacGregor
- Michael R. Galarneau
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center