ABSTRACT

Social competence impairments are among the most common and potentially devastating sequelae of brain injury, often disrupting relationships with family, friends, co-workers and others in the community. The effect of brain injury on an individual’s cognitive, behavioural and emotional abilities has been well documented (Ben-Yishay et al., 1985; Malec, Smigielski, DePompolo, & Thompson, 1993; McDonald, Tate, et al., 2008; Prigatano, Fordyce, & Zeiner, 1994; Thomsen, 1984; Ylvisaker & Feeney, 2001). After a brain injury, impaired social functioning is often the main obstacle to successful relationships, employment and social confidence and may lead to social anxiety, frustration and avoidance of social situations, loneliness and depression (Gordon & Hibbard, 2005; McDonald, Tate, et al., 2008; Oddy & Humphrey, 1980). Additionally, social interactions with individuals following traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been described as effortful and unrewarding (Galski, Tomkins, & Johnston, 1998).