Conceptualization and identification of depression in adults with brain damage by clients and rehabilitation clinical staff

Primary objective: To explore reasons used by staff and clients to identify depression and examine how each group differs. Research design: A between group comparison on both quantitative and qualitative data. Methods and procedure: Thirty-seven individuals with brain injury and 18 non-psychologist rehabilitation professionals participated in this study. The Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology (IDS), a 28-item instrument of client self-report and clinician ratings was used for comparison. Additionally, qualitative data on presence and reason for identification of depression were collected from both parties. Results: There is substantial disagreement between clinicians and clients with regard to overall identification of depression. However, both groups based diagnoses on mood/cognitive symptoms rather than anxiety or vegetative symptoms. Conclusion: The results point to a discrepancy in client and clinician identification and understanding of depression after brain injury, indicating a potential need for education for both groups.