The development of self-awareness of deficits from 1 week to 1 year after traumatic brain injury: preliminary findings.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the process of recovery of self-awareness with consideration for the variables of severity of injury and deficit factors.


METHODS
A longitudinal, descriptive design was used.


METHODS
Eighteen participants and their significant others were interviewed using the Awareness Questionnaire at 1 week, 1 month, 4 months and 1 year post-injury.


RESULTS
Participants differed in self-awareness according to severity of injury, deficit factors and time post-injury. Overall, participants with mild TBI demonstrated better self-awareness. There was a significant interaction effect between severity of injury and time post-injury. Reduced self-awareness of cognitive deficits was noted for the participants with moderate and severe TBI.


CONCLUSIONS
Time post-injury, severity of injury and deficit factors are confounding variables in the study of self-awareness.
Dirette
Diane K
DK
Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA. diane.dirette@wmich.edu
Plaisier
Brian R
BR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D013997:Time Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices