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Abstract:
37 male (20 Left lesion, 17 Right lesion) and 60 female (30
left lesion and 30 Right lesion) brain surgery patients and 48
extra cerebral neurosurgery and cancer patient controls were rated
by their partners on the Emotional and Social Dysfunction
Questionnaire (ESDQ). The groups and lateralised sub-groups were
equivalent for age, education and time since surgery. A combined
MANOVA analysis of the Anger, Helplessness, Indifference,
Inappropriate and Fatigue Scales indicated a significant main
effect for gender (<.01). Post-hoc sheffe comparison of left
versus right lesion ratings for the Female group indicate higher
ratings of both groups on the anger scale compared to controls
(<.01). However there were also greater dysfunctional ratings of
the left lesioned group on the Helplessness (<.05), Indifference
(<.05) compared to the Right and Controls. In contrast the Males
showed more emotional problems following a right lesion. Both left
(<.001) and right (<.01) brain lesioned Male groups performed
more poorly compared to controls on the Anger scale. On the
Inappropriate scale the male group with right lesions were rated
more poorly compared to the left (<.01) and compared to controls
(<.001). The results follow previous studies finding more
negative affect associated with left lesions and more inappropriate
behaviour following right lesions however this is the first time
that laterality differences have been gender related.
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