Article

PURPOSE: To examine cognitive performance among a sample of men in a residential
unit of an urban homeless shelter and to compare cognitive performance between
those with and without a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: An
exploratory, quantitative study of participants recruited through convenience
sampling. Participants were screened for TBI using the Brain Injury Screening
Questionnaire, and cognitive function using the Repeatable Battery for the
Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Data were analyzed to examine
associations between TBI status and cognitive performance. RESULTS: Thirty-four
participants were recruited for the study: n = 12 with a positive and n = 22 with
a negative screen for TBI. Both groups performed below norms in all cognitive
domains measured by the RBANS. Those with a positive screen for TBI performed
significantly worse on attention tasks than those with a negative screen for TBI
(p = 0.026). RBANS scores were not associated with either mental health or
substance abuse status. CONCLUSIONS: A history of TBI was associated with
generally poorer cognitive performance in the study sample. An improved awareness
of TBI and cognitive dysfunction among service providers and routine TBI
screening could improve treatment and service delivery for this population.

Langue : ANGLAIS