Citation

Hart T, Bogner JA, Whyte J, Polansky M. Rehabil. Psychol. 2003; 48(2): 86-92.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: To study reliability and validity of blame attribution following acute moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by violence versus accident. Study Design: Prospective study with test-retest component, comparing groups with violent versus accidental injuries as determined by self-report and chart review. Participants: Fifty-seven persons in acute rehabilitation for moderate to severe TBI. Measure: Eight-item Blame Attribution Questionnaire. Results: Blame attribution was reliable, even for participants with severe TBI. Violence and accident groups apportioned different amounts of blame to other people; concern with cause of injury and degree of self-blame showed less striking differences. Conclusions: Blame of others, which may increase risk of adverse psychological outcome, is strongest in those with violence-related TBI. Self-blame is not as strongly related to external circumstances and could signal a constructive coping mechanism.