title: Factors associated with self-esteem following acquired brain injury in adults: A systematic review.
abstract: Self-esteem is potentially a key factor in psychological and psychosocial well-being following acquired brain injury (ABI). The current review aimed to identify, synthesise and appraise all existing quantitative empirical studies on predictors or correlates of self-esteem following ABI in adulthood. In total, 27 papers met the inclusion criteria. A range of clinical factors were related to self-esteem after ABI, including the degree of physical and functional impairment. It is unclear if cognitive impairment is related to high or low self-esteem. Additionally, psychological variables such as coping styles, adjustment and perception of problems or rehabilitation are related to self-esteem following ABI. Depression is strongly associated with low self-esteem, alongside anxiety, psychological distress and quality of life. Limitations of the available research and recommendations for clinical practice and further research are discussed. In particular, there is a need to engage with contemporary theoretical understandings of self-esteem, integrated with and supported by developments in how self-esteem is conceptualised and measured over time in an ABI population. The findings of the review suggest that self-esteem is an important factor to consider following ABI, particularly in the context of developing individualised, formulation-driven rehabilitation interventions that take into account biological, social and psychological factors.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Health Research , Furness College, Lancaster University , Lancaster , UK.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Curvis
authors.affiliation: a Division of Health Research , Furness College, Lancaster University , Lancaster , UK.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5071-4077
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Neuropsychology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust , Salford , UK.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hampson
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: Self-esteem; acquired brain-injury; psychological; rehabilitation