Relationship between employment status and sexual functioning after traumatic brain injury

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Study investigated whether correlations exist between employment status and sexual functioning in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants were 146 community dwelling adults either enrolled in the TBI Model Systems sexuality study database or admitted to Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with a primary diagnosis of TBI between 2004 and 2006. Data collected included employment status, annual income, Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning Self Report (DISF-SR) sum and sub-scale scores, Global Sexual Satisfaction Index (GSSI). Participants were grouped according to employment status. No significant difference was found in GSSI scores between employed, unemployed or students/volunteers; however, lower income marginally correlated with lower GSSI scores. Marginally significant lower DISF-SR Sexual Cognition sub-group scores were found in unemployed versus employed. Lower annual income also correlated with lower DISF-SR sum scores, Sexual cognition/fantasy, Orgasm/ejaculation and Sexual drive and relationship scores. Results indicated that lower-quality sexual functioning and satisfaction was present in subjects with TBI and concomitant unemployment or lower annual income. Efforts are needed to increase awareness among the TBI population and rehabilitation professionals of the potential impact unemployment or financial stress has on sexual functioning and satisfaction.

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