Coping following acquired brain injury: predictors and correlates.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the determinants and correlates of coping styles in the chronic phase following acquired brain injury.


METHODS
Chart review.


METHODS
Outpatient rehabilitation center.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-six persons with an acquired brain injury who were more than 6 months postinjury.


METHODS
Utrecht Coping List, Symptom Checklist 90, Stroop Color Word Test, and the 15-Word Learning Test.


RESULTS
Neuropsychological performance did not influence the use of coping styles. Persons with higher levels of educational attainment most often reported active problem-focused coping styles. Persons with a long time period since injury most often used passive reactions. More use of passive coping styles and less seeking of social support contributed significantly to higher levels of subjective complaints.


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive functions do not influence coping style. Passive emotion-focused coping styles in the chronic phase after injury are maladaptive. These findings emphasize the importance of training of adaptive coping styles as rehabilitation targets in the chronic phase, especially for persons with lower educational attainment.
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. g.woltersgregorio@np.unimaas
Gisela
G
Wolters
Sven
S
Stapert
Ingrid
I
Brands
Caroline
C
van Heugten
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult