Emotional adjustment after ABI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating psychological mechanisms maintaining poor emotional adjustment following an acquired brain injury and setting priorities for future research
IRAS ID
233020
Contact name
Sara Simblett
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Depression and anxiety are common complications following acquired brain injury (ABI), such as stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other non-progressive injury to the brain. In terms of stroke alone, a third of people are estimated to experience depression (Hackett et al., 2014) and a quarter of people are reported to experience an anxiety disorder (Campbell-Burton et al, 2013). This demonstrates poor emotional adjustment in a substantial proportion of cases. If untreated, these difficulties have been found to significantly impact on functional recovery (Glozier et al., 2008). Factors such as a negative change in one's self-identity, as a result of differences in abilities and lifestyle after an ABI, have been found to be related to severity of depression (Beadle et al., 2016). Executive dysfunction, awareness, the ways in which people cope with stress (coping styles) and psychosocial functioning seem also to be linked with quality of life and symptoms of depression following an ABI (Wolters et al., 2015; Kortte et al., 2003). The main aim of this research is to explore if certain cognitive characteristics such as executive dysfunction and/or maladaptive coping styles predict the likelihood of developing mental health problems after an ABI, in order to improve identification of people at potential risk more quickly. A model containing the following: self-reported executive dysfunction, ways of coping with stress, mood (including depression and anxiety), change in self-concept and self-awareness, will be tested, to explore relationships between these factors. In addition to this analysis, we will ask people who have experienced an ABI, their carers and healthcare professionals what they think the targets of future research in the area of emotional adjustment after ABI to guide development of treatments and preventative interventions.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0019
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion