Personality and psychosocial function after brain injury.
A total of 74 brain-injured patients and 46 non-neurologically matched controls consecutively admitted to a specialist medical rehabilitation unit, were administered the 'Headley Court psychosocial rating scale' and four questionnaires examining personality traits of 'locus of control', 'use of humour', 'optimism' and 'easy-going disposition'. Both pre- and post-injury personality ratings were obtained. The relatives of all participants were sent the same scales. Personality changes are reported in each of the four areas; however, time post-injury appears to be a significant factor in the type of change reported; in this cross-sectional study, at 6 and 12 months post-injury, changes are noted in all variables except locus of control, whereas at 18 months post-injury only 'easy-going disposition' showed significant change, at 24 months post-injury changes were noted in all variables except optimism, and at 30 months post-injury no changes were noted. In the present study, examining a period of 2.5 years post-injury, the personality changes remain static once they have occurred. Despite widespread reports in the literature on the importance of pre- and post-trauma personality to good psychosocial functioning, the present study found that it was only an 'easy-going disposition' post-trauma that was consistently related to good psychosocial functioning. Reasons for this are discussed.
Malia
K
K
DSMRU RAF Headley Court, Epsom, Surrey, UK.
Powell
G
G
Torode
S
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013694:Temperament; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic