LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To examine the validity of factor analytically-based summary scores that were developed using the NIH Toolbox Emotion Battery (NIHTB-EB; i.e., Psychological Well-Being, Social Satisfaction, and Negative Affect) normative sample in individuals with neurological conditions. DESIGN Cross-sectional, observational cohort SETTING: Community PARTICIPANTS: 1036 English-speaking adults from the NIHTB normative project (Norm) and 604 community dwelling adults with neurological conditions including spinal cord injury (SCI N= 209), traumatic brain injury (TBI N=184), and stroke (CVA N= 211). INTERVENTION Not Applicable MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The NIHTB-EB RESULTS: A series of univariate analyses comparing summary scores across the four groups (SCI, TBI, CVA and Norm) were conducted to identify group differences. Base rates (defined as > 1 standard deviation towards the problematic direction) were also identified. The Normative group demonstrated better emotional functioning characterized by greater Social Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being (Norm > SCI, TBI, CVA; p's < .0001), and less Negative Affect (Norm < SCI, p=0.016; Norm < TBI, p < 0.001; Norm < CVA; p = 0.034) compared with each neurological group. Using base rates to identify problematic emotions for the three summary scores, there were higher rates of problematic emotions on all three summary scores for the neurological groups compared with the normative group. CONCLUSIONS The NIHTB-EB summary scores demonstrate an increased prevalence of problematic emotions among individuals with three neurological conditions, and might be useful for identifying individuals with similar conditions and potentially in need of psychological support.