Social Support Relating To Posttraumatic Growth After Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To investigate the role of social support as an indicator of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and recovery using the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12 (ISEL-12), Participation Importance Scale (PART-I), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and themes of social support and growth from qualitative analysis among individuals with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey. <h3>Setting</h3> Follow-up with former inpatients from a rehabilitation facility. <h3>Participants</h3> 39 individuals living with moderate-severe TBI. <h3>Interventions</h3> N/A. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> PTGI Perception of Recovery ISEL-12 PART-I An open-ended question regarding the most important life changes since TBI. <h3>Results</h3> ISEL-12 total scores were positively associated with PTGI total scores (r = .79) and subscales Relating to others (r = .83), New possibilities (r = .66), and Appreciation of life (r = .74,), and perception of recovery (r = .60). ISEL-12 subscales were associated with growth: appraisal of support was positively associated with PTGI total score (r = .65) and subscales Relating to others (r = .57), New possibilities (r = .52), and Appreciation of life (r = .65), and perception of recovery (r = .59). Feelings of belonging were positively associated with PTGI total score (r = .70) and subscales Relating to others (r = .74), New possibilities (r = .55,), and Appreciation of life (r = .70), and perception of recovery (r = .54). PART-I scores were positively associated with total PTGI (r = .69), perception of recovery (r = .77), and PTGI subscale scores including Relating to others (r = .66), New possibilities (r = .53), and Appreciation of life (r = .60). Preliminary review of qualitative data include themes of the role of social support in changes and growth after TBI. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Stronger social support and community participation were associated with greater growth and recovery after moderate-severe TBI. Particularly, connectedness and relations with others were themes in qualitative and quantitative data. Research shows that PTG is connected to better rehabilitation outcomes after TBI. As such, it is important to identify factors like social support that promote PTG. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> N/A.