Post-traumatic growth and value-directed living after acquired brain injury. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baseotto, Monica C.; Morris, Paul G.; Gillespie, David C.; Trevethan, Ceri T.
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychological rehabilitation. Volume 32:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 84
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Post-traumatic growth -- Value-directed living -- Acquired brain injury -- Valued living -- Brain injury rehabilitation; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1798254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Traumatic events can be associated with positive change, termed "post-traumatic growth." Existing resesarch suggests some overlap between post-traumatic growth and value-directed living. This study sought to explore the relationship between post-traumatic growth and value-directed living after acquired brain injury. Self-report questionnaires including the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Valued Living Questionnaire, Engaged Living Scale, Valuing Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, World Health Organization Well-Being Index, Brief Resilience Scale, Trauma Screening Questionnaire and Glasgow Outcome Scale were posted to 317 individuals who had experienced a head injury, stroke or subarachnoid haemorrhage in the previous 3–13 years, with a hospital admission of minimum 7 days. Questionnaires were completed by 81 participants. Post-traumatic growth was significantly positively associated with two measures of value-directed living (VLQ, r = .269; VQ, r = .215). Higher levels of value-directed living were significantly associated with increased positive outcomes (wellbeing) and reduced negative outcomes (distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms). There was no significant association between post-traumatic growth and any of these outcomes. The association between post-traumatic growth and value-directed living indicates possible common underlying processes. Value-directed living appears to be a more useful concept, as it was associated with clinically relevant outcomes. It is recommended that value-directed living interventions are considered in brain injury rehabilitation.