The adaptation process after acquired brain injury : Pieces of the puzzle

This PhD dissertation shows that low self-efficacy and extreme use of emotion-focused coping (expressing negative emotions) in the subacute phase after experiencing a brain injury are predictive of a poorer longer-term quality of life. It is therefore important to screen for these factors at an early stage to identify patients at higher risk of a worse outcome. Furthermore, it also appears that patients with a higher level of self-efficacy are more successful in achieving their important life goals and thus experience a higher quality of life, have less stress and employ active forms of coping.