Article

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of personality change after severe
brain injury; to identify predictors of personality change; and to investigate
whether personality change is associated with distress in family members. DESIGN:
A longitudinal study of personality change. SETTING: Rehabilitation unit.
PARTICIPANTS: The study sample was composed of 22 pairs of patients with
traumatic brain injury or nontraumatic brain injury (N=22) and their significant
others (SOs).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
An SO completed the observer version of the NEO Five Factor Inventory rating the
patient at discharge from hospital and 1 year after injury. The SOs were also
asked to complete the anxiety and depression scales of the Symptom
Checklist-90-Revised, rating their own emotional condition and health-related
quality of life (HRQOL) as assessed by the 4 mental scales of the Medical
Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. RESULTS: Of the sample, 59.1%
experienced personality change after acquired brain injury, and the most dominant
changes were observed in the personality traits of neuroticism, extraversion, and
conscientiousness. Changes in neuroticism were most often observed in patients
with frontal or temporal lesions. Generally, personality changes in patients were
not associated with more distress and lower HRQOL in family members; however,
change in patient agreeableness was associated with lower HRQOL on the role
limitations-emotional scale. CONCLUSIONS: Personality change was observed in most
patients with severe brain injury. Change in neuroticism was associated with
frontal and temporal lesions. Generally, personality change was not associated
with more distress and lower HRQOL in SOs.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS