Article

OBJECTIVE: To identify preinjury coping profiles among adults with uncomplicated
mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and complicated mTBI and to determine whether
preinjury coping profiles contribute to the prediction of emotional functioning
and quality of life (QOL) 3 months post-mTBI. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred
eighty-seven persons with medically documented mTBI (uncomplicated mTBI, n = 89;
complicated mTBI, n = 98) were recruited from the emergency center of a level I
trauma center and followed in community 3 months post-mTBI. MEASURES: The Ways of
Coping Questionnaire was administered within 2 weeks of injury. Cluster analysis
was used to group participants on basis of their preinjury use of problem-focused
and avoidant coping strategies. The Brief Symptom Inventory and the 36-item
Short-Form Health Survey were administered 3 months postinjury. RESULTS: Cluster
analysis distinguished 3 distinct preinjury coping profiles that were
differentially associated with outcomes. Participants who used avoidant coping
showed the worse emotional functioning and QOL outcomes, although this cluster
also reported high usage of problem-focused strategies. Preinjury coping profiles
explained a significant proportion of the variance in depression, anxiety, and
mental health QOL at 3 months postinjury beyond that accounted for by demographic
characteristics and mTBI severity. CONCLUSIONS: Cluster analysis holds practical
value in illustrating the pattern of coping strategies used by person with
uncomplicated and complicated mTBI. It appears worthwhile to address coping in
future trials of interventions that are aimed at improving emotional functioning
after mTBI.

Langue : ANGLAIS