Profile of Executive Functioning and Lifetime History of Acquired Brain Injury in Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness: A Pilot Study

(1) Background: Housing instability is a public health issue in both developed and developing countries. This exploratory pilot study examines executive functioning (EF) and the history of acquired brain injury (ABI) in youth and young adults experiencing homelessness (YYEH). (2) Methods: Twenty-three YYEH (ages 18-25; 48% male) were recruited from a drop-in center in Central Ohio. The Ohio State University TBI Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID+ABI) was used to screen for exposure to ABI. Outcomes were measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function for Adults (BRIEF-A) and the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery. (3) Results: Eighty-seven percent of participants reported a lifetime history of ABI, including traumatic brain injury or hypoxic-anoxic brain injury. Overall, participants did not present with elevated EF scores on outcome measures. Those with multiple lifetime ABIs (n = 16) had significantly higher scores than those with a single ABI (n = 4), representing poorer EF, on shift, self-monitor, task monitor, and the Global Executive Composite of the BRIEF-A. There was no evidence of significant differences between participants on outcome measures based on injury mechanism. (4) Conclusions: In this pilot sample, those with multiple reported ABIs demonstrated decreased EF performance, and these differences were noted in specific areas of EF. To ensure YYEH have access to services, resource support and intervention providers should consider the cognitive profiles of the youth they serve.