A review of research on psychosocial adjustment to impairment in persons with traumatic brain injury

This review of research begins with an examination of the literature on specific psychosocial reactions that affect the rehabilitation of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI), followed by examination of the literature pertaining to injury-related variables and specific patient characteristics associated with these reactions. The next sections concern the process of psychosocial adjustment, including specific models of adjustment to TBI, methodologic concerns in building and testing a model, results of patient follow-up studies, and comparisons with adjustment to other impairments. The article then examines issues in the measurement of psychosocial adjustment, including two instruments specific to TBI, and the controversy over the use of self-report scales with TBI patients. The final section identifies significant research problems limiting the usefulness of the available information and provides suggestions for future investigations.