• Project status: Active
adolescent

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when trauma causes damage to the brain.

This study investigates mental health outcomes and associated factors, such as family environment, social participation, and quality of life, in adolescents following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

This study investigates mental health outcomes and associated factors, such as family environment, social participation, and quality of life, in adolescents following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Overview

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when trauma causes damage to the brain. Within Australia, there is an annual incidence of 149/100,000 cases of traumatic brain injury across the age spectrum, of which 43.8% occur in children and adolescents. In a typical year approximately 3,000 children present to the Emergency Department (ED) at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) with TBI.

TBI can have enduring symptoms including fatigue, headache, poor concentration and irritability which have a significant impact on a young person’s capacity to return to school, leisure and sports. Consequently, they may fall behind in their studies and be unable to participate fully in daily life. While some young people adjust to these limitations, a significant number will have difficulty adjusting, and develop depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. These internalised mental health problems may go undetected and untreated, further impacting the young person’s quality of life.  

A research team led by A/Prof Cathy Catroppa at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and The Royal Children’s Hospital is conducting a study to enhance our understanding of mental health outcomes following mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in young people aged 13-18 years. It is anticipated that findings from this study will identify risk factors of anxiety and depression in adolescents post-mTBI and provide insight into preventative care and treatment options.

This study was approved by the Research Ethics and Governance at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne (HREC 34063).

Research team

A research team led by A/Prof Cathy Catroppa at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and The Royal Children’s Hospital is conducting a study to enhance our understanding of mental health outcomes following mild TBI.

Contact us

Mental Health following mild TBI in Adolescent
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
The Royal Children's Hospital
50 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
Australia

Associate Professor Cathy Catroppa
Phone: +61 3 9936 6738
Email: 

Elle Morrison, Research Assistant
Phone: +61 3 9936 6249
Email: 

 
 
child in hospital

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