Crisis and its assessment after brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a measure to assess crisis after acquired brain injury (ABI).


METHODS
A triangulated research strategy, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, was employed to develop the crisis measure.


METHODS
The measure was developed in two phases. In the first phase, by using focus group methodology, the experience of crisis following brain injury was described. The second phase involved developing the questionnaire items, pilot testing the measure and conducting initial reliability testing.


RESULTS
The six themes derived from the content analysis led to the creation of the measure, with versions for individuals who have an ABI, family members and professionals. Test-re-test reliability results (n = 40) were adequate.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that crisis is experienced as precarious homeostasis with individuals with brain injury, varying in intensity over time, subjectively viewed as never really absent.
West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto, Canada.
John R
JR
Davis
Monica
M
Gemeinhardt
Caron
C
Gan
Kelley
K
Anstey
Judith
J
Gargaro
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires