Date of Submission

2015

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chair, Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chairperson

Second Advisor

Bruce S Zahn, EdD, ABPP

Third Advisor

Karen Lindgren, PhD

Abstract

Research on quality of life in ABI survivors has focused on four domains: psychological, physical, social, and cognitive (Upadhyay, 2007). Social relationships, in particular, can help ABI survivors more effectively cope with changes in their lives, help maintain a healthy outlook, and can help with seeking further understanding of the consequences of sustaining a ABI (Hibbard et al, 2002). The current study sought to examine if social connectedness is predictive of quality of life in ABI survivors. Participants were 71 individuals who have sustained a ABI and who currently or in the past participated in a long term rehabilitation program. The study utilized data from a previously collected outcome data set of ABI survivors participating in a residential and/ or outpatient brain injury rehabilitation program located in Southern New Jersey. Results from the study indicated that the Participation subscale and total QoL on the WHOQoLBREF were positively correlated. The total MPAI-IV score as not significantly correlated with total WHOQoL-BREF despite being close to significance, p=.063. Due to having a smaller sample, there was not sufficient enough of power to reach significance. Additionally, the Participation subscale and Social Relationships subscale were negatively correlated indicating that both subscales were indicative of measuring the quality of social connectedness. Overall, it was found that social relationships accounted for 36 % of the variance in total QoL when compared to several other variables found in the research including age at time of injury, time since injury, relationship status, and current age. Strengths, limitations, potential implications, and explanations of the study’s outcomes are also explored.

Download

Share

COinS