Post-traumatic growth in acquired brain injury: A preliminary small scale study

Abstract

Primary objective: To examine the nature, degree and time course of positive psychological change in people with severe acquired brain injury.

Research design: This preliminary exploratory study employed a cross-sectional design, comparing two matched samples, one early post-brain injury (M = 7 months) and one late post-brain injury (M = 10 years).

Methods and procedures: The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Sense of Coherence Scale-13 (SOC-13) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered.

Main outcomes and results: The samples differed significantly with respect to reported post-traumatic growth, with the late sample reporting higher levels. HADS anxiety was significantly associated with post-traumatic growth. Both samples achieved high scores on the SOC-13.

Conclusions: The participants showed evidence of substantial positive psychological change, demonstrating that it is not precluded by severe brain injury. The results suggest that this develops slowly over time and requires a degree of emotional engagement.

• Trauma
• adversity
• post-traumatic
• growth
• thriving
• stroke
• brain injury
• benefit