Evaluation of a coping skills group following traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: To examine the impact of a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) based intervention programme, termed the Coping Skills Group (CSG), on coping strategy use and emotional adjustment. Research design: Thirty-one individuals with TBI participated and a wait-list control design was used. Methods and procedures: The CSG ran twice a week, for 5 weeks and focused on developing adaptive coping skills for the management of emotional and adjustment issues. Main outcomes and results: Following the CSG, the majority of participants subjectively reported that they had a better understanding of emotional issues and an improved ability to implement strategies to manage these issues. Adaptive coping, as measured on the Coping Scale for Adults, increased significantly immediately following intervention. However, no significant changes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem and psychosocial function were observed on the measures used. Conclusions: The results suggest that it may be possible to modify coping strategy use following brain injury, through CBT.