Evolution of the psychological processes and quality of life in adults with brain injury participating in Unit for Evaluation, Training and Social and Vocational Counselling (UEROS-Aquitaine): A preliminary study

Introduction Brain injuries generate real difficulties in social and professional reintegration. In response to these concerns, Units for Evaluation, Training and Social and Vocational Counselling (UEROS) have been developed. Our research aims at studying the evolution of the psychological processes and quality of life of individuals admitted in the UEROS-AQUITAINE long-term care in order to improve the understanding of the impact of participating in this program on social and professional reintegration. The objective of the current study, which constitutes a preliminary work of feasibility, is to compare subjects who participated in the neuropsychological section to subjects who participated in the professional section. Methods Two groups were established: a group met upon admission in the UEROS, in the neuropsychological section (PN, n  = 6) and a group met in the professional section (PP, n  = 9). The subjects completed generic scales relative to self-esteem, self-efficacy, depression, coping and a specific scale of quality of life in brain injury patients (QOLIBRI), at two time-points with a 3-month interval. A mixed factorial ANOVA was used to compare values obtained by the groups at the 2 evaluation times. Results There were no significant differences between PP and PN for self-esteem, self-efficacy and depression. However, PP presented a significant decrease in the “Degree of bothered” concerning quality of life, feelings and physical condition compared to PN. Among the strategies of coping, only the Research for instrumental social support was significantly more used by PP than by PN. Discussion The construction of an adequate project allows an improvement in certain dimensions of quality of life and encourages functional coping. By the latter, centred on the problem, the subjects appear to seize the support of the multidisciplinary team. This investment could also allow moving away from the pain, to overcome clumsiness and sensory difficulties, becoming then “less annoying”. This study intends to be followed by a longitudinal larger-scale research. It will allow specifying the links existing between psychological processes, quality of life and community integration.