Perception of illness in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Perception of illness plays an important role in recovery process. It affects our coping behaviors, adherence to treatment and preventive measures taken for healthy recovery.

AIMS: The aim of the study is to examine perception of illness in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study design done on sample of 31 patients with mild to moderate TBI. Depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21), Brief illness perception questionnaire (IPQ) and Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) was used.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive and correlational statistics was used.

RESULTS: The results indicated that overall higher percentage falls within low and medium range of IPQ. However higher percentage falls within higher range, on coherence and emotional response subscales of IPQ. Consequence, timeline, personal control, treatment control, concern, emotional control, and total of the subscales of IPQ were positively correlated with RPQ3 and RPQ13 at 0.01 and 0.05 level of significance. A significant correlation was found between demographic variables and subscales of IPQ at 0.01 and 0.05 level of significance.

CONCLUSION: The study shows one to one relationship between symptoms experienced by patients, how they perceive their illness and socio demographic variables.