Tamara Ownsworth

Investigation of factors related to employment outcome following traumatic brain injury: a critical review and conceptual model

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to critically review the literature to examine factors that are most consistently related to employment outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI), with a particular focus on metacognitive skills. It also aims to develop a conceptual model of factors related to employment outcome. Method: The first stage of the review considered 85 studies published between 1980 and December 2003 which investigated factors associated with employment outcome following TBI. English-language studies were identified through searches of Medline and PsycINFO, as well as manual searches of journals and reference lists. The studies were evaluated and rated by two independent raters (Kappa = 0.835) according to the quality of their methodology based upon nine criteria. Fifty studies met the criteria for inclusion in the second stage of the review, which examined the relationship between a broad range of variables and employment outcome. Results: The factors most consistently associated with employment outcome included pre-injury occupational status, functional status at discharge, global cognitive functioning, perceptual ability, executive functioning, involvement in vocational rehabilitation services and emotional status. Conclusions: A conceptual model is presented which emphasises the importance of metacognitive, emotional and social environment factors for improving employment outcome.

The relative importance of metacognitive skills, emotional status, and executive function in psychosocial adjustment following acquired brain injury

ObjectivesTo examine the interrelationships between metacognitive skills and measures of emotional status and executive function following acquired brain injury (ABI), and examine their relative importance to psychosocial outcomes. DesignA cross-sectional multicentre study employing correlational and multiple regression analyses. ParticipantsSixty-seven adults with ABI living in the community, on average 4.4 years (SD = 4.7) postinjury. MeasuresSydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale, Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview, Self-Regulation Skills Interview, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and standardized measures of executive function. ResultsMetacognitive skills correlated with level of hopelessness and executive measures of idea generation and error self-regulation. The best predictor of psychosocial outcome was depressive symptoms, with specific outcomes additionally related to error self-regulation and intellectual awareness. ConclusionsThe findings highlight the need to evaluate interventions targeting depression and metacognitive skills to improve psychosocial outcomes.

Self-awareness and psychosocial functioning following acquired brain injury: An evaluation of a group support programme

This study investigated a group support programme designed to improve selfawareness deficits and psychosocial functioning in a group of chronic patients (N = 21) with acquired brain injury (ABI). The participants were on average 8.6 years (range: 1-36 years) post-injury and were seen at the Brain Injury Association of Queensland, Australia. The assessment of participants involved two standardised measures of intellectual self-awareness with collateral reports from relatives. The present study introduced a new measure called the Self-Regulation Skills Interview (SRSI) which assessed higher levels of self awareness and self-regulation skills. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using a standardised self-report measure. At baseline the group had a relatively high level of intellectual self-awareness regarding their deficits, a low to moderate level of self-regulation skills, and significant psychosocial impairment. The participants were involved in a 16-week group programme which involved components of cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and social skills training. A post-intervention assessment indicated that participants had significantly improved levels of self-regulation skills and psychosocial functioning. A 6-month follow-up assessment indicated that overall, participants had maintained the gains made during the programme. The important role of self-regulation skills is emphasised as the principle factor contributing to the maintenance of the gains observed.

The investigation of factors underlying deficits in self-awareness and self-regulation

Primary objective : To examine a theoretical model which suggests that a contribution of both psychological and neuropsychological factors underlie deficits in self-awareness and self-regulation. Research design : Multivariate design including correlations and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Methods : Sixty-one subjects with acquired brain injury (ABI) were administered standardized measures of self-awareness and self-regulation. Psychological factors included measures of coping-related denial, personality-related denial and personality change. Neuropsychological factors included an estimate of IQ and two measures of executive functioning that assess capacity for volition and purposive behaviour. Main outcomes and results : The findings indicated that the relative contribution of neuropsychological factors to an outcome of deficits in self-awareness and self-regulation had a more direct effect than psychological factors. In general, measures of executive functioning had a direct relationship, while measures of coping-related and personality-related denial had an indirect relationship with measures of self-awareness and self-regulation. Conclusion : The findings highlighted the importance of measuring both neuropsychological and psychological factors and demonstrated that the relative contribution of these variables varies according to different levels of self-awareness and self-regulation.

A review of awareness interventions in brain injury rehabilitation

Unawareness related to brain injury has implications for participation in rehabilitation, functional outcomes, and the emotional well-being of clients. Addressing disorders of awareness is an integral component of many rehabilitation programmes, and a review of the literature identified a range of awareness interventions that include holistic milieu-oriented neuropsychological programmes, psychotherapy, compensatory and facilitatory approaches, structured experiences, direct feedback, videotaped feedback, confrontational techniques, cognitive therapy, group therapy, game formats and behavioural intervention. These approaches are examined in terms of their theoretical bases and research evidence. A distinction is made between intervention approaches for unawareness due to neurocognitive factors and approaches for unawareness due to psychological factors. The socio-cultural context of unawareness is a third factor presented in a biopsychosocial framework to guide clinical decisions about awareness interventions. The ethical and methodological concerns associated with research on awareness interventions are discussed. The main considerations relate to the embedded nature of awareness interventions within rehabilitation programmes, the need for individually tailored interventions, differing responses according to the nature of unawareness, and the risk of eliciting emotional distress in some clients.

A qualitative study of the transition from hospital to home for individuals with acquired brain injury and their family caregivers

Primary Objective: To explore the transition experiences from hospital to home of a purposive sample of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Research Design: Phenomenological, qualitative design. Methods and Procedures: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 individuals with ABI (mean time since discharge = 15.2 months) and 11 family caregivers. Each interview was recorded, transcribed verbatim and then inductively analyzed. Results: Through the inductive analysis process, a summary coding framework was developed that included that following eight main categories: the hospital experience; the transition process; the role of family caregivers; post-discharge services; friendship networks and community involvement; meaningful activities and time management; physical and psychological wellbeing; and barriers and facilitators. Conclusions: The results of the study provide valuable insights into the lived experiences of participants and provide evidence to support the existence of a distinct transition phase within the ABI rehabilitation continuum; additional to and closely associated with the acute, post-acute and community integration phases.

A metacognitive contextual intervention to enhance error awareness and functional outcome following traumatic brain injury: A single-case experimental design

Very few empirically validated interventions for improving metacognitive skills (i.e., self-awareness and self-regulation) and functional outcomes have been reported. This single-case experimental study presents JM, a 36-year-old man with a very severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who demonstrated long-term awareness deficits. Treatment at four years post-injury involved a metacognitive contextual intervention based on a conceptualization of neuro-cognitive, psychological, and socio-environmental factors contributing to his awareness deficits. The 16-week intervention targeted error awareness and self-correction in two real life settings: (a) cooking at home; and (b) volunteer work. Outcome measures included behavioral observation of error behavior and standardized awareness measures. Relative to baseline performance in the cooking setting, JM demonstrated a 44% reduction in error frequency and increased self-correction. Although no spontaneous generalization was evident in the volunteer work setting, specific training in this environment led to a 39% decrease in errors. JM later gained paid employment and received brief metacognitive training in his work environment. JMs global self-knowledge of deficits assessed by self-report was unchanged after the program. Overall, the study provides preliminary support for a metacognitive contextual approach to improve error awareness and functional outcome in real life settings.

Awareness typologies, long-term emotional adjustment and psychosocial outcomes following acquired brain injury

Previous research suggests considerable heterogeneity within groups of individuals identified as having low self-awareness or good self-awareness following acquired brain injury (ABI). The present study aimed to identify typologies of individuals according to neuropsychological and psychological factors related to awareness deficits and compare emotional adjustment and psychosocial outcomes at the initial assessment and 12-month follow-up. Eighty-four participants with ABI (mean time since injury = 3.9 years) were assessed on the Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview, Awareness Questionnaire, Symptom Expectancy Checklist, Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale, and an error self-regulation index. A 12-month follow-up assessment of emotional adjustment and psychosocial outcomes was conducted. A hierarchical cluster analysis distinguished four awareness typologies, namely, “poor self-awareness” (n = 12), “high defensiveness” (n = 13), “high symptom reporting” (n = 15), and “good self-awareness” (n = 44). An overall comparison of outcomes indicated that the poor self-awareness and high symptom reporting typologies experienced poorer outcomes than the high defensiveness and good self-awareness typologies. The findings confirm that there are different awareness typologies and highlight the need to tailor interventions according to the nature of awareness deficits.

The transition from hospital to home for individuals with acquired brain injury: a literature review and research recommendations.

Purpose. To review the literature relating to the transition from hospital to home for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) and make recommendations concerning the future direction of transition-specific research. Method. Relevant research articles were identified through searching existing database systems and by reviewing the reference lists of identified articles. Only articles in which the results directly related to individuals with ABI from the time of discharge to 1 year post-discharge were included in the review. Results/discussion. A total of 50 articles were identified as meeting the criteria for inclusion in the review. The methodological quality of included articles was evaluated using a set of specific criteria. The articles were classified into the following categories: (i) The perspectives of individuals with ABI and their caregivers; (ii) outcomes for individuals with ABI following transition; (iii) post-discharge services; and (iv) transitional living services/programmes. The majority of articles were based on samples of individuals with stroke, typically aged over 65 years. A common theme identified in the review was that the transition from hospital to home is typically perceived as an exciting yet difficult period for individuals and their families and as such, post-discharge support is critical. Conclusion. Further ABI transition-specific research is necessary in order to: (i) Develop a comprehensive theoretical framework of the transition phase; and (ii) facilitate both the validation of current intervention strategies and the development of innovative/tailored intervention approaches.

An integrated biopsychosocial approach to understanding awareness deficits in Alzheimer's disease and brain injury

Considerable emphasis has been placed upon cognitive neuropsychological explanations of awareness disorders in brain injury and Alzheimers disease (AD), with relatively few models acknowledging the role of psychosocial factors. The present paper explores clinical presentations of unawareness in brain injury and AD, reviews the evidence for the influence of psychosocial factors alongside neuropsychological changes, and considers a number of key issues that theoretical models need to address, before going on to discuss some recently-developed models that offer the potential for developing a comprehensive biopsychosocial account. Building on these developments, we present a framework designed to assist clinicians to identify the specific factors contributing to an individuals presentation of unawareness, and illustrate its application with a case example. A University of Queensland Travel Award for International Collaborative Research and a National Health and Medical Research Council Public Health Fellowship jointly supported the preparation of this paper.