Interventions for affective and behavioural disturbances in acquired brain injury: A conceptual framework based on the stages of change theory

High rates of psychiatric difficulties and poor psychosocial and emotional adjustment occur in ABI. This review chapter briefly summarizes the prevalence and common presentations of emotional disturbances in ABI and reviews the current literature on treatment interventions. While there is general consensus on the utility of psychological treatment in ABI, the research remains less clear on the effectiveness and timing of different types of interventions for specific symptom presentations. We describe a theoretical framework based on the Stages of Change model that offers a way to conceptualize readiness for change and how specific strategies/approaches may be most beneficial to facilitate change in the ABI population.