CORRELATES OF DEPRESSION IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among selected factors and depression in adult patients with traumatic brain injury. The subjects were 140  traumatic brain injury patients attending at three neurological surgery out patient departments in Bangkok. Samples were selected by a purposive sampling. The instrument used in the study was a set of questionnaires including a demographic data form, the disability scale, the self esteem scale, the activity of daily living scale,  the MMSE-Thai Scale, the family functioning scale, and CES-D scale. All were tested for their content validity by a panel of experts. Reliability of instruments were .93, .71, .75, .70, .75, and .70, respectively. Data were analyzed by using Eta coefficient, and Chi-square.

The major findings were as follows:

1. Mean of depression scores in patients with traumatic brain injury indicated no depression with mean scores equal to 10.26 ( SD = 3.88 )

2.   Sex and  level of disability were significantly correlated to depression at the level of .05

3. Self esteem, activity of daily living, cognitive function were positively significantly correlated to depression in patients with traumatic brain injury at the level of .05

4. Family functioning was positively significantly correlated to depression in patients with traumatic brain injury at the level of .05

5.  Age  was not significantly correlated to depression.