Shame, self-discrepancies, and adjustment after acquired brain injury

Hughes, Rachel; Fleming, Pete; Henshall, Lauren

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objectives: To explore the relationship between shame and self-discrepancies and the extent that these
factors predict adjustment after an acquired brain injury (ABI).
Method: 62 participants with an ABI completed the following self-report qualitative questionnaires: the
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Quality of Life after Brain Injury Scale, the Internalized Shame
Scale, and the Head Injury Semantic Differential Scale – III. Data was analyzed using correlations, repeated
ANOVA, and multiple regression models.
Results: A significant self-discrepancy was found between the present self and the pre-injury self, with the
present self-being rated more negatively. This self-discrepancy was found to be positively correlated to
shame, and these two variables were found to predict adjustment (emotional distress and quality of life).
Conclusions: Shame and self-discrepancies both appear to play a crucial role in adjustment following an
ABI. However, the relationship between shame and self-discrepancies needs more consideration to
understand how these variables may interact to predict adjustment

Citation

Hughes, R., Fleming, P., & Henshall, L. (in press). Shame, self-discrepancies, and adjustment after acquired brain injury. Brain Injury, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2020.1776395

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 27, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 2, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 8, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2021
• Journal: Brain Injury
• Print ISSN: 0269-9052
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-7
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2020.1776395
• Keywords: brain injury; shame; self-discrepancies; adjustment
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3537266
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=ibij20; Received: 2019-10-10; Revised: 2020-05-22; Accepted: 2020-05-27; Published: 2020-07-02