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Volume 20 International Journal of Emergency Mental
Health and Human Resilience
ISSN: 1522-4821
Mental Health 2018
April 26-27, 2018
April 26-27, 2018 | Rome, Italy
4th International Conference on
Mental Health and Human Resilience
Post-traumatic growth after ABI: a pilot study in a Singaporean cohort
Christine Lock, J Kwok and N C Keong
National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore
Introduction: Acute Brain Injury (ABI) is often perceived as both a physically and psychologically traumatic event. The
multiple deficits as a result of brain injury can change perceptions of self, relationships and general life outlook. Positively
overcoming this adversity whilst assigning meaning to this struggle leads to the potential for post-traumatic growth. Cultural
differences may influence coping processes, and post-traumatic growth after ABI has not been widely studied in Southeast
Asian populations. We used two validated questionnaires on high-functioning stroke patients.
Methodology: We administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory
(PTGI) to nine Singaporean ABI patients diagnosed with spontaneous brain haemorrhage between 2014-2017. Participants
consisted of eight females and one male, with an average age of 54.2 years. The PTGI consisted of five factors: relating to others;
new possibilities; personal strength; spiritual change and; appreciation of life.
Findings: Appreciation of life and relating to others were the highest rated factors on the PTGI. Depression on the HADS
displayed significant negative correlations with new possibilities (r=-.814, p<.01) and Personal strength (r=-.748, p=.02) on the
PTGI. Within the PTGI, New possibilities was positively correlated to personal strength (r=.895, p<.01) and relating to others
(r=.736, p=.024). Relating to others significantly correlated to personal strength (r=.723, p=.028).
Conclusion & Significance: In this pilot study of high-functioning stroke patients, we found that a renewed appreciation for
life and social support were important factors contributing to post-stroke recovery and growth. Results also suggest that the
development of new possibilities and perceived self-efficacy are related to fewer depressive symptoms. Further research can
look into increasing sample size, and cross-correlations of multiple quality of life questionnaires for patient’s post-ABI.
Recent Publications:
1. Calhoun L G and Tedeschi R G (2009) Handbook of posttraumatic growth: research and practice. Mahwah, NJ:
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (Vol. 1).
2. Kuenemund A, Zwick S, Rief W and Exner C (2016) (Re-) defining the self – enhanced posttraumatic growth and
event centrality in stroke survivors: A mixed-method approach and control comparison study. Journal of Health
Psychology 21(5):679-689.
3. Mack J, Herrberg M, Hetzel A, Wallesch C W, Bengel J, Schulz M and Schönberger M (2015) The factorial
and discriminant validity of the German version of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory in stroke patients.
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation 25 (2):216-232.
4. Rana M, Bullinger M and Rana M (2015) coping with stroke: A prospective comparative cross-cultural research.
Journal of Religion & Health. 54 (1):173-186.
5. Splevins K, Cohen K, Bowley J and Joseph S (2010) Theories of posttraumatic growth: Cross-cultural perspectives.
Journal of Loss and Trauma 15(3):259-277.
Biography
Christine Lock has research experience in behavioural science analysis and neurosurgical research. She has worked with governmental organisations concentrating
on individual motivation and crisis response, and is currently doing clinical research specifically in patients with brain injury. Her research interests include improving
general mental health through systematic reviews of cognitive assessments and intervention efficacy.
Christine Lock et al., Int J Emerg Ment Health 2018, Volume 20
DOI: 10.4172/1522-4821-C1-011