A preliminary investigation of moral reasoning and empathy after traumatic brain injury in adolescents. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beauchamp, M. H.; Dooley, J. J.; Anderson, V.
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 27:Number 7/8(2013)
• Page Start: 896
• Page End: 902
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2013.775486
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Primary objective</italic>: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained during childhood can affect a number of socio-cognitive skills; however, little attention has focused on the integrity of moral reasoning in the assessment of post-TBI social sequelae and the role of empathy and intelligence on moral maturity.</p> <p> <italic>Research design</italic>: In a quasi-experimental, cross-sectional research design, moral reasoning maturity and empathy in adolescents with mild-to-severe TBI (<italic>n</italic> = 25) were compared to typically-developing peers (<italic>n</italic> = 66).</p> <p> <italic>Methods and procedures</italic>: Participants were administered the So-Moral and So-Mature, tasks of socio-moral reasoning and maturity, the Index of Empathy for Children and Adolescents, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence and a demographic questionnaire.</p> <p> <italic>Main outcomes and results</italic>: Participants with TBI had significantly lower levels of moral reasoning maturity. Further, adolescents with moderate-to-severe TBI had lower levels of empathy. Empathy correlated positively with moral reasoning abilities and, together with intellectual function, predicted a small, but significant proportion of moral reasoning outcome.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Youth who sustained TBI during childhood have poorer moral reasoning abilities than their non-injured peers, potentially placing them at risk for poor social decision-making and socially maladaptive behaviour. This can have a significant impact on long-term social functioning.</p> </abstract>