Stress, appraisal and coping following mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Purpose: The present study tested a portion of the stress, appraisal and coping (SAC) model proposed by Godfrey, Knight and Partridge.

Methods: Using data gathered from 94 individuals who had sustained a traumatic brain injury, path analysis results indicated that a model based on Godfrey et al.'s SAC model did not fit the sample data. Based on relevant statistical output, previous research and theory, a re-specified model was tested.

Results: The final model was shown to meet common statistical measures for establishing model fit. The final model indicated that higher levels of perceived stress were predictive of higher levels of self-reported depression, higher levels of depression were predictive of lower levels of dispositional hope and dispositional hope was predictive of increased life satisfaction and work productivity.

Conclusions: The present findings hold implications for both research and for clinical practice. The findings do suggest the need for additional research to further clarify factors that contribute to emotional adjustment following traumatic brain injury.

• Mild TBI
• adjustment
• stress
• coping