Self-concept and self-esteem after acquired brain injury: a control group comparison.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the multidimensional self-concept, global self-esteem and psychological adjustment of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) as compared with healthy controls.


METHODS
Group comparison on self-report questionnaires.


METHODS
Forty-one individuals who had sustained a TBI were compared with an age- and gender-matched sample of 41 trauma-free control participants on the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (second edition) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS).


RESULTS
Participants with TBI rated significantly lower mean levels of global self-esteem and self-concept on the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and Tennessee Self Concept Scale than the control group. Survivors of TBI rated themselves more poorly on a range of self-dimensions, including social, family, academic/work and personal self-concept compared to controls. They also reported higher mean levels of depression and anxiety on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Overall self-concept was most strongly associated with depressive symptoms and anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-concept may be lowered following TBI and is associated with negative emotional consequences. Clinicians may improve the emotional adjustment of survivors of TBI by considering particular dimensions of self-concept for intervention focus.
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria , Australia and.
Jennie
J
Ponsford
Amber
A
Kelly
Grace
G
Couchman
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D035061:Control Groups; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012934:Social Isolation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires