Impairments in cognitive processing related to social understanding and communication (i.e., "social cognition") are well documented after moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can contribute to negative functional outcome. Depression is also a common feature of TBI with detrimental functional consequences. We evaluated relationships between social cognition, depression symptom severity, and functional status in individuals with chronic TBI (>1 year post injury; n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 30) using objective tests of social cognition as well as self-reported depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II) and functional status (Functional Behavior Profile). Results revealed significant relationships between depression and functional status across the sample, and relationships between social cognition and functional status specific to TBI. In the TBI group only, social cognition significantly predicted both overall and social functional status above and beyond depression. Group differences in functional status were independently mediated by social cognition and, especially, depression. Our findings suggest that social cognitive impairments and depression are distinct, functionally relevant TBI sequelae. Interventions to improve social functioning in this population may be most effective when contextualized within treatments for emotional disturbances.

中文翻译：

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中重度颅脑损伤后社会认知和抑郁对功能状态的独立贡献

在中度或重度创伤性脑损伤 (TBI) 后，与社会理解和沟通（即“社会认知”）相关的认知处理受损有据可查，并可能导致负面的功能结果。抑郁症也是 TBI 的一个共同特征，具有有害的功能后果。我们使用客观的社会认知测试和自我报告评估了慢性 TBI（受伤后 1 年以上；n = 25）和健康对照者（n = 30）的社会认知、抑郁症状严重程度和功能状态之间的关系抑郁（贝克抑郁量表-II）和功能状态（功能行为概况）。结果揭示了整个样本中抑郁和功能状态之间的显着关系，TBI 特有的社会认知和功能状态之间的关系。仅在 TBI 组中，社会认知显着预测了抑郁症以外的整体和社会功能状态。功能状态的群体差异是由社会认知，尤其是抑郁症独立调节的。我们的研究结果表明，社会认知障碍和抑郁症是不同的、功能相关的 TBI 后遗症。当在情绪障碍治疗中融入情境时，改善该人群社会功能的干预措施可能最有效。尤其是抑郁症。我们的研究结果表明，社会认知障碍和抑郁症是不同的、功能相关的 TBI 后遗症。当在情绪障碍治疗中融入情境时，改善该人群社会功能的干预措施可能最有效。尤其是抑郁症。我们的研究结果表明，社会认知障碍和抑郁症是不同的、功能相关的 TBI 后遗症。当在情绪障碍治疗中融入情境时，改善该人群社会功能的干预措施可能最有效。