Behavioral Issues From TBI More Common In Girls Than Boys

A recent study shows that traumatic brain injuries may have more of a negative effect on girls than boys.

Furthermore, researchers found that teenage girls who experienced the traumatic event were significantly more likely to engage in varied harmful behaviors than male counterparts.

"Both boys and girls were more likely to engage in a variety of harmful behaviors if they reported a history of TBI, but girls engaged in all 13 harmful behaviors we looked for, whereas boys were at higher risk of engaging in only nine," said lead study author Dr. Gabriela Ilie, a post-doctoral fellow at St. Michael's Hospital, in a news release. "Sex matters when it comes to traumatic brain injuries."

For the study, researchers observed 13 harmful health behaviors linked to suicidal tendencies, marijuana use or binge drinking. The information involved 9,288 Ontario students between 7th and 12th grades, with a traumatic brain injury defined as a hard blow to the head that results in an individual being knocked out for at least five minutes or the need to spend at least one night in the hospital due to related symptoms.

The latest study revealed that girls who've suffered traumatic brain injuries were more likely to have smoked cigarettes, been victims of bullying, contemplated suicide or suffered significantly more psychological stress.

"Traumatic brain injuries are invisible but ignorance is not an excuse," said Ilie. "Parents, clinicians, teachers and coaches need to take all brain injuries, including concussions, seriously because their effects can affect students' formative years."

"Many harmful behaviors in adolescence can be precursors to addiction and mental health issues later in life," added Dr. Robert Mann, senior scientist at Center for Addiction and Mental Health and director of the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. "The relationship between TBI and mental health issues is concerning and calls for greater focus on prevention and further research on this issue. We are seeing important links of adolescent TBI with both substance use and mental health problems and this combination of factors is something to watch as it may have a serious negative impact on these young people."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal PLOS ONE.