RACIAL DISPARITIES IN POST-TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING AND PROCESSING SPEED

Rida Hamid

Racial disparities in healthcare have been extensively researched, yet the impact of these disparities on cognitive outcomes post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been understudied. This study utilizes a biobehavioral framework to examine the relationship between race and discrimination on executive functioning and processing speed in Black and White participants with TBI. Data from 57 adults (15 Black participants and 42 White participants) with moderate to severe TBI from the Pennsylvania Health Study was analyzed. The primary independent variable was race, with discrimination being measured via the Everyday Discrimination Scale and Major Experiences of Discrimination. The primary dependent variables were executive functioning and processing speed, which were measured via various neuropsychological tests. Multivariate analysis of variance and linear regression analysis were used to understand the relationships among the variables. Results indicated that race significantly predicted processing speed disparities; however, race did not significantly predict executive functioning disparities. Furthermore, the discrimination scores were not significantly associated with race nor any neuropsychological outcomes, potentially due to the lack of validity of these tests to measure racial discrimination specifically. The findings of this study emphasize the existence of racial disparities even when controlling for socioeconomic factors, highlighting the need to create targeted rehabilitative care and promote cultural competence among the neuropsychological workforce.

Major: 
Biobehavioral Health
Exhibition Category: 
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Frank Hillary
Poster Number: 
154