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dc.contributor.authorSilva, Jennifer
dc.contributor.authorOwnsworth, Tamara
dc.contributor.authorShields, Cassandra
dc.contributor.authorFleming, Jennifer
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-03T14:37:57Z
dc.date.available2017-05-03T14:37:57Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.date.modified2013-05-30T03:38:57Z
dc.identifier.issn1443-9646
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/43499
dc.description.abstractPreliminary research supports that acquired brain injury (ABI) can act as a catalyst for positive psychological changes, and that such posttraumatic growth (PTG) increases with time since injury. In this study, posttraumatic growth refers to positive psychological changes in domains including interpersonal relationships, new possibilities, personal strength, spirituality and appreciation for life. This study aimed to identify associations between levels of subjective impairment and depressive symptoms at discharge, and PTG at 6-months postdischarge following ABI. Sixty participants (73% male) with ABI (Mean days of hospitalisation = 32.92, SD = 40.74) were consecutively recruited from an inpatient rehabilitation unit at discharge and were administered measures of subjective impairment (Mayo-Portland Adaptability Index-4; MPAI-4) and depression (Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales; DASS). Participants were followed up at 6-months postdischarge and administered the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, DASS and MPAI-4. The results indicated that levels of PTG reported at six months postdischarge were relatively modest and ranged between no to very small degree of change ('spirituality') and a small to moderate degree of change ('a greater appreciation of life'). Level of subjective impairment at discharge significantly predicted overall level of PTG at 6-months follow-up (beta=.40, p < .05, sr2 = .28). Further, at 6-months postdischarge, individuals with a greater appreciation for life reported significantly higher levels of subjective impairment (r = .35; p < .01) and depressive symptoms (r = .34, p < .01) at that time point. These findings indicate that individuals who perceive greater functional consequences of their ABI are more likely to experience PTG. Further, the process of reevaluating priorities and values in life after ABI may be associated with emotional distress during the early stages of community reintegration.
dc.description.peerreviewedYes
dc.description.publicationstatusYes
dc.format.extent520842 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherCambridge University Press
dc.publisher.placeUnited Kingdom
dc.publisher.urihttp://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8495411
dc.relation.ispartofstudentpublicationN
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom93
dc.relation.ispartofpageto104
dc.relation.ispartofissue2
dc.relation.ispartofjournalBrain Impairment
dc.relation.ispartofvolume12
dc.rights.retentionY
dc.subject.fieldofresearchBiomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchPsychology
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode32
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode52
dc.titleEnhanced Appreciation of Life Following Acquired Brain Injury: Posttraumatic Growth at 6 Months Postdischarge
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.descriptionC1 - Articles
dc.type.codeC - Journal Articles
gro.facultyGriffith Health, School of Applied Psychology
gro.rights.copyright© 2011 Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
gro.date.issued2011
gro.hasfulltextFull Text
gro.griffith.authorOwnsworth, Tamara


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