Abstract:
Objective: The Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire (BISQ) is a structured self report used in determining (a) history of brain injury, and (b) physical, cognitive and behavioral sequelae following injury. The cur- rent study investigated the validity of the BISQ and its relationship to other standardized instruments used in neuropsychological assessments. Participants and Methods: Fifty undergraduates participated in the study. Twenty-one reported features consistent with concussion or mild TBI. Each completed the BISQ, BASC-2, BRIEF and the ImPACT computerized test. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were calculated to measure the association between BISQ factors with each of the other measures. Results: Results revealed a significant relationship between BISQ symptomatology and emotional and behavioral factors reported on the BASC- 2. Much less association was found between the BISQ and the BRIEF. Although BISQ factors were significantly correlated with similar symptomatology on the ImPACT test, no relationship was found with the cognitive screening variables on the latter. Results remained consistent when evaluating only those students with reported head injuries. Conclusions: The BISQ has clear face-validity when used to assess the history of brain injury. These results also support the convergent-validity of the BISQ when measuring physical, cognitive and behavioral factors associated with brain injury. Specific sensitivity to executive functioning deficits was not demonstrated, but sensitivity to general inattention and impulsivity was significant as compared to the BASC- 2. The significant correlation between BISQ factors and emotional variables on the BASC-2 highlight the importance of considering emotional adjustment during recovery following brain injury.