The development of self-awareness of deficits from 1 week to 1 year after traumatic brain injury: Preliminary findings

Abstract

Primary objective: To examine the process of recovery of self-awareness with consideration for the variables of severity of injury and deficit factors.

Research design: A longitudinal, descriptive design was used.

Methods and procedures: Eighteen participants and their significant others were interviewed using the Awareness Questionnaire at 1 week, 1 month, 4 months and 1 year post-injury.

Main outcomes and results: Participants differed in self-awareness according to severity of injury, deficit factors and time post-injury. Overall, participants with mild TBI demonstrated better self-awareness. There was a significant interaction effect between severity of injury and time post-injury. Reduced self-awareness of cognitive deficits was noted for the participants with moderate and severe TBI.

Conclusions: Time post-injury, severity of injury and deficit factors are confounding variables in the study of self-awareness.

• self-awareness
• time post-injury
• severity of injury
• deficit factors