Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

Journal:


Journal of Head Trauma and Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 18, 2, 128-138

Publication Website:

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To examine job stability moderating variables and develop a postinjury work stability prediction model.

DESIGN: Multicenter analysis of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who returned for follow-up at 1, 2, and 3, or 4 years postinjury, were of working age (between 18 and 62 years of age at injury), and were working preinjury.

SETTING: Six National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research TBI Model System centers for coordinated acute and rehabilitation care.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 186 adults with TBI were included in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Job stability was categorized as stably employed (employed at all 3 follow-up intervals); unstably employed (employed at one or two of all three follow-up intervals); and unemployed (unemployed at all three follow-up intervals).

RESULTS: After injury, 34% were stably employed, 27% were unstably employed, and 39% were unemployed at all three follow-up intervals. Minority group members, people who did not complete high school, and unmarried people were more likely to be unemployed. Driving independence was highly influential and significantly related to employment stability. A discriminant function analysis, which included age, length of unconsciousness and Disability Rating Scale scores at 1 year postinjury, accurately predicted job stability groupings.

CONCLUSION: Data analysis provided evidence that employment stability is predictable with a combination of functional, demographic, and injury severity variables. Identification of people at risk for poor employment outcomes early on can facilitate rehabilitation planning and intervention.

Author(s):


Kreutzer, J. S., Marwitz, J. H., Walker, W., Sander, A., Sherer, M., Bogner, J., Fraser, R., Bushnik, T.

Participating Centers: