EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENT FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY - A STRESS APPRAISAL-COPING FORMULATION

This article conceptualizes emotional adjustment to traumatic brain in jury (TBI) within a stress-appraisal-coping (SAG) model. In this model the emotional adjustment of the individual with TBI is seen as a resp onse to neuropsychological symptoms and associated losses. This respon se is mediated, however, by the individual's coping skills, social sup port, and appraisal (insight). Evidence regarding the course of emotio nal dysfunction following TBI and the role of mediating variables is r eviewed and found to provide strong preliminary support for the model. In addition, the effects of neuropsychological symptoms on mediators of emotional adjustment are discussed. Finally, the implications of th e SAC model for rehabilitation are discussed and recent rehabilitation outcome findings presented.