Role of Character Strengths in Outcome after Mild Complicated to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Positive Psychology Study

And whom is going to do the same study for stroke?
http://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993%2814%2900474-2/abstract

Robin A. Hanks, Ph.D.

,

Lisa J. Rapport, Ph.D.

,

Brigid Waldron-Perrine, Ph.D.

,

Scott R. Millis, Ph.D.

Received: March 10, 2014; Received in revised form: June 20, 2014; Accepted: June 30, 2014; Published Online: July 07, 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.06.017

Publication stage: In Press Accepted Manuscript

• Abstract

Abstract

Objective

To examine the effects of character strengths on psychosocial outcomes after mild complicated to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design

Prospective study with consecutive enrollment.

Setting

A Midwestern rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

65 persons with mild complicated to severe TBI

Interventions

None

Main Outcome Measures

Community Integration Measure (CIM); Disability Rating Scale (DRS); Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (MCIRS); Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS); Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS); Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS); and Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR).

Results

Character virtues and strengths were moderately associated with subjective outcomes, such that there were fewer and less strong associations between character virtues/strengths and objective outcomes than subjective outcomes. Specifically, positive attributes were associated with greater life satisfaction and perceived community integration. Fewer and less strong associations were observed for objective well-being; however, character strengths and virtues showed unique value in predicting physical health and disability. Positive affectivity was not meaningfully related to objective outcomes, but was significantly related to subjective outcomes. In contrast, negative affectivity was related to objective, but not subjective outcomes.

Conclusion

Given the strength of the associations between positive aspects of character or ways of perceiving the world and positive feelings about one’s current life situation, treatments focused on facilitating these virtues and strengths in persons who have experienced TBI may result in better perceived outcomes and potentially subsequently lower comorbities.