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Social adjustment after rehabilitation: a two year follow-up of patients with severe head injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Roger Weddell
Affiliation:
From the Wolfson Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Wimbledon, London
Michael Oddy*
Affiliation:
From the Wolfson Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Wimbledon, London
David Jenkins
Affiliation:
From the Wolfson Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Wimbledon, London
*
1 Address for correspondence: Dr Michael Oddy, Department of Psychology, St Francis Hospital, Haywards Heath, Sussex.

Synopsis

Forty-four young adults, admitted to a rehabilitation centre after very severe head injury, were followed-up 2 years after their accident. Comparison with a control group showed that the head injured had experienced marked changes in work, leisure activities, contact with friends and family life. Though these changes still created problems, the majority of patients and relatives appeared to have made a number of successful adaptations to their altered situation. Neurophysical status, personality change and memory loss all affected work capacity, while presence of personality changes was especially important in the loss of pre-accident friendships.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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