Predicting Violent Behavior in Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury: The Utility of the Personality Assessment Inventory

Date of Award

Summer 8-22-2009

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Kimberly A. Gorgens

Second Advisor

Lisa A. Brenner

Third Advisor

Ryan E. Breshears

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Traumatic brain injury, Violent behavior, Veteran

Abstract

This study investigated the Personality Assessment Inventory's (PAI) Violence Potential Index (VPI) and Aggression (AGG) scale as predictors of violent behavior among military veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Archival data was gathered via searches of 154 veterans' medical records to identify documented incidents of violence within a two-year period following PAI administration. Sixteen out of 154 veterans (10.4%) engaged in violent behavior. Both the VPI (p=0.002) and AGG (p=0.01) were significant predictors of violent outcomes. However, approximately half of veterans with violent behavior fell below PAI recommended cutoff values, suggesting that low scores on the VPI and AGG do not preclude future violence. Further clinical assessment of the potential for violence is warranted among veterans with TBI.

Copyright Date

7-15-2009

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Robert L. Leach

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