Investigation of psychological and neuropsychological factors associated with clinical outcome following a group rehabilitation programme

• Published in: Neuropsychological rehabilitation Vol. 14; no. 5; pp. 535 - 562
• Main Authors: Ownsworth, Tamara, McFarland, Ken
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hove Taylor & Francis Group 01-12-2004; Taylor & Francis; Psychology Press
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain injured people; Clinical outcomes; Group therapy; Medical sciences; Neuropsychological rehabilitation; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Reeducation. Readaptation. Sociotherapy; Selfregulation; Treatments; Human; Executive function; Social behavior; Reeducation; Group treatment; Treatment; Self regulation; Self perception; Cognition; Personality; Coping; Cerebral disorder
• ISSN: 0960-2011; 1464-0694
• DOI: 10.1080/09602010343000538

The present study investigated neuropsychological and psychological factors associated with successful treatment outcome following a group intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Participants were classified into two groups ("Clinically Improved" and "Not Improved") based upon the findings of a previous study (Ownsworth, McFarland, & Young, 2000a). A discriminant analysis was used to predict group membership on three outcome measures (Awareness and Strategy Behaviour indices of the Self-Regulation Skills Interview and the Psychosocial Dimension of the Sickness Impact Profile) between pre-assessment and post-assessment, and between pre-assessment and 6 months follow-up. Neuropsychological factors involved measures of executive functioning and psychological factors were assessed using measures of personality-related denial and coping-related denial. Overall, the results indicated that individuals with impaired executive functioning were most likely to be classified as Clinically Improved on measures of awareness, strategy behaviour and psychosocial functioning. Individuals who deny or minimise their ABI symptoms were less likely to improve their psychosocial functioning following the group intervention. Future research needs to evaluate interventions for enhancing self-regulation skills and improving psychosocial functioning for individuals who employ denial as a main strategy for coping following ABI.