Self-concept and quality of life following aquired brain injury: A pilot investigation

Objective: To investigate through pilot exploration the relationships between depression, self-concept and perceived quality of life ( QoL) in post-acute patients with acquired brain injury ( ABI). Methods: Nineteen patients with ABI were administered the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Quality of Life Inventory, along with the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale-2 and the Head Injury Semantic Differential Scale, measures of self-concept. The relationships between these measures were explored using correlational analyses. Results: Ratings of self-concept were correlated with perceived QoL, suggesting that poorer view of self was associated with lower subjective QoL. Additionally, depressive symptoms were associated with lower QoL ratings, consistent with previous research. Conclusions: These results suggest that intra-personal variables, such as self-concept and depression, impact the perceived QoL of the ABI survivor. Future research exploring the mediating effects of these variables on QoL may clarify this relationship and may aid in developing more effective interventions for these individuals.