Post-traumatic growth in adult survivors of brain injury: a qualitative study of participants completing a pilot trial of brief positive psychotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) can occur following acquired brain injury (ABI). It has been proposed that people experiencing psychological distress following ABI may benefit from a positive psychotherapy intervention (PPT) aimed at increasing well-being; PPT may also influence PTG. We aimed to investigate PTG experiences in participants of a positive psychotherapy pilot trial.

Methods: ABI survivors who had received PPT or treatment as usual (TAU) were interviewed individually after the end of the trial. Thematic analysis was conducted, to code transcripts for known themes from PTG literature as well as newly emerging themes.

Results: Four participants (age = 46–62; n = 3 male; months since injury = 11–20) from the PPT group and three (age = 58–74; n = 2 male; months since injury = 9–22) from the TAU group were interviewed. Six themes were shared across both groups: personal strength, appreciation of life, relating to others, optimism/positive attitude, feeling fortunate compared to others, and positive emotional/behavioral changes. Two themes were expressed by PPT participants only: lifestyle improvements and new possibilities. One TAU participant reported spiritual change.

Conclusions: A greater understanding of the development of PTG following ABI may help rehabilitation clinicians to promote better adjustment by focusing on clients’ potential for positive change and enhancing their capacity for growth.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Post-traumatic growth is “positive psychological change experienced as the result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances.”

• This is the first qualitative investigation of post-traumatic growth in participants in a positive psychotherapy trial following acquired brain injury.

• Several post-traumatic growth themes were shared by participants from the positive psychotherapy and treatment as usual study arms, with additional themes evident only in positive psychotherapy participants.

• A greater understanding of post-traumatic growth among rehabilitation professionals may help to promote adjustment following brain injury.

Keywords:

• Acquired brain injury
• post-traumatic growth
• positive psychology
• psychotherapy
• qualitative

Acknowledgements

This manuscript is based on a dissertation submitted by Olga Karagiorgou to the University of Glasgow for the award of Master of Science.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

Breda Cullen is supported by The Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation. The PoPsTAR trial was funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department (Chief Scientist Office) under grant CZH/4/778. The funders had no role in the study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; or decision to submit for publication. The authors declare that there are no other competing interests to disclose.