The Psychological Effects of Employment After Traumatic Brain Injury: Objective and Subjective Indicators

Objectives: This study examines the effects of objective (level of engagement) and subjective (discrepancy between importance of work and the degree to which work needs are met) indicators of employment on self-reported psychological well-being, quality of life (QoL), and depression for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Community-based research and training center. Participants: 317 individuals with self-reported TBI under the age of 65 were included in analysis. Main Outcome Measures: Living Life After Traumatic Brain Injury (LLATBI; 1998), Flanagan Scale of Needs (J. C. Flanagan, 1982), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; A. T. Beck, R. Steer, & G. Brown, 1996). Results: Only 21% of the present sample experienced similar levels of pre- and postinjury employment. Multiple regressions revealed significant relationships between demographic, objective, and subjective employment indicators and perceived QoL and depression. In addition, significant increments in QoL and depression variance were accounted for by subjective indicators of employment per se. Conclusions: Subjective indicators are additional important measures when assessing the rehabilitation needs and planning treatment for individuals with TBI, as they contribute to further improvements in their QoL and mood.