Who Benefits? Predicting Outcome following a Coping Skills Group Intervention for Traumatic Brain Injury
High rates of anxiety, depression and anger management difficulties are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and have been associated with maladaptive coping skills and poor psychosocial adjustment. In an attempt to improve adaptive coping and decrease emotional distress following TBI a cognitive behavioural group intervention program, entitled the Coping Skills Group (CSG), has been implemented at Epworth Rehabilitation Centre.
Thirty-three TBI outpatients completed the CSG evaluation study. All were identified as having emotional or adjustment problems and deemed to have sufficient cognitive and communication skills to participate in the program. The CSG was associated with a post-group increase in adaptive coping, as measured on the Coping Scale for Adults. However, there was variability between participants in response to the intervention (Anson & Ponsford, 2004).
The aim of this paper will be to explore the association between variables including participant self-awareness, cognitive impairments and time post injury and benefit from the CSG. Higher self-awareness of deficits was associated with greater benefit from intervention. Time post injury did not appear to be associated with benefit from intervention. Identification of factors influencing outcomes from such interventions will allow future treatment resources to be directed more effectively.
Anson, K., & Ponsford, J. (2004). Evaluation of a Coping Skills Group Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Paper presented at the Joint meeting of the Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment and the International Neuropsychological Society, 7-10th July, Brisbane, Australia.