Coping strategies and adjustment after closed-head injury: a cluster analytical approach

Abstract

This study examined the effects of coping strategies as moderators of long-term psychosocial and emotional adjustment following closed-head injury. Cluster analysis was used to separate 69 CHI patients into three clinically relevant groups on the basis of responses to the revised Ways of Coping questionnaire. The groups were then compared on a series of validation measures. There were no differences apparent between the three clusters in age, Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission to hospital, or in relatives' ratings of psychiatric symptomatology among the patients. However, the cluster characterized by a generally high use of a wide range of coping strategies had higher ratings of depression, as well as more psychosocial, cognitive and physical difficulties than the other groups. As with other chronic illnesses, it appears that the use of cognitive mechanisms that act as reality 'buffers' may be an important component of improved adjustment to closed-head injury.

Psychological and marital adjustment in couples following a traumatic brain injury (TBI): A critical review

“…These may be grouped into three categories: problem-focused, perception-focused and emotionfocused. The use of a 'perception-focused' category is consistent with the 'reappraisal' cluster observed in Moore and Stambrook's studies [45,88,89]. For Karlovits and McColl, creating this category allows researchers to be more specific and emphasize that individuals with head injury can successfully change the meaning of potentially stressful circumstances.…”

“…Other authors examined the relationships between the use of specific coping strategies and outcome variables of the adjustment process following TBI [45,[84][85][86][87][88][89]. Among them, Moore and Stambrook's team conducted several studies using a cluster analytical approach with the revised Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOC-R [90]).…”

“…Finally, a cluster characterized by a low use of any of the coping strategies measured by the WOC-R was associated with low levels of mood and psychosocial difficulties. An interesting possibility that may account for the latter results is that subjects from this cluster are actively denying their disabilities and are, therefore, not actively 'coping' as they perceive no ill effects of their TBI [89]. These results suggest that there may be an optimal range of 'self-deception' or denial strategies that may serve to decrease anxiety associated with overwhelming circumstances at a sooner stage in the recovery process [82].…”

Head injury and spinal cord injury: Differential effects on psychosocial functioning

“…dependency ; ; Moore, Stambrook, & Peters, 1989;Peters, Stambrook, Moore, & Esses, 1990, Stambrook, Moore, & Peters, 1989). A picture is emerging of significant longterm burden upon the coping resources of patients, their families, and the larger societal systems, even for some patients who sustain so-called "mild" head injury (Levin, Eisenberg, & Benton, 1989).…”

The experience of appraisal, coping and adaptive psychosocial adjustment following traumatic brain injury: A qualitative investigation

“…However, contradictions within the research were apparent. Moore et al [23] reported no difference in adjustment between individuals who used few coping strategies and those who used more problem-focused strategies [23]. Whereas Curran et al [8] reported that 'shared coping' (e.g.…”