Psychological and adjustment problems due to acquired brain lesions in childhood: a comparison between post-traumatic patients and brain tumour survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To define and differentiate psychological and adjustment problems due to brain injury or brain tumour in children and adolescents. METHODS: Two groups of patients with acquired brain lesions (24 post-traumatic patients and 22 brain tumour survivors), ranging in age between 8-15 years, received a psychological evaluation, including the Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 4-18 (CBCL) and the Vineland Behaviour Adaptive Scales (VABS). RESULTS: Both groups showed psychological and social adjustment problems. Post-traumatic patients were more impaired than brain tumour survivors. Social adjustment problems were associated to externalizing problems in post-traumatic patients and internalizing problems in brain tumour surviving patients. CONCLUSIONS: These differences in psychological and behavioural disorders between the two groups must necessarily be considered when developing psychological treatment, rehabilitation plan and social re-entry.