A Multimodal Support Group with Hispanic Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors

OBJECTIVES: (a) To design and pilot a culturally sensitive and neuropsychologically informed support group addressing barriers to emotional, social, and vocational adjustment among high-level functioning Hispanic/Latino TBI survivors. (b) To determine efficacy through outcome measures. INTERVENTION: Ten-week multimodal, culturally sensitive support group focusing on TBI sequelae education, relaxation techniques, coping skills development, behavioral goal setting and monitoring, and family participation. PARTICIPANTS: Six Spanish-speaking high-level functioning TBI survivors aged 20-42. SETTING: Outpatient neuropsychological assessment and treatment center. OUTCOME MEASURES: Beck Hopelessness Scale; Purpose in Life Test; Perceived Self-Regulatory Ability Inventory. RESULTS: Participants' sense of personal destiny and feelings of hopelessness improved, as evidenced by objective measures and self-report. A telephone interview a year later indicated that gains had been maintained, and most participants were vocationally active. CONCLUSIONS: Results underscore the importance of considering linguistic and ethnic factors in developing support groups.