Characteristics associated with satisfaction with life 1 year post traumatic brain injury in a population of Hispanic individuals

Issue title: Spanish Speakers with Neurological and Psychiatric Disabilities: Relevant Factors Related to Rehabilitation

Guest editors: Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ketchum, Jessica M.^{a; *} | Almaz Getachew, Mimi^b | Krch, Denise^{c; f} | Kolakowsky-Hayner, Stephanie A.^d | Baños, James H.^e | Lequerica, Anthony^{c; f} | Wright, Jerry^d | Arango-Lasprilla, Juan Carlos^b

Affiliations: [a] Department of Biostatistics and The Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA | [c] Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, NJ, USA | [d] Rehabilitation Research Center, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, CA, USA | [e] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA | [f] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ – New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA | Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Jessica M. Ketchum, Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 980032, Richmond VA, 23298-0032, USA. Tel.: +1 804 827 2057; Fax: +1 804 828 8900; E-mail: McKinneyJL@vcu.edu

Abstract: Objective:To determine which demographic, injury, rehabilitation, and follow-up characteristics are associated with satisfaction with life in a population of Hispanic individuals 1 year post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design:Retrospective study. Setting:Longitudinal dataset of the TBI Model Systems National Database. Participants:291 Hispanic adults with TBIs occurring between 1999 and 2008 having year 1 follow-up data. Main outcome measure:Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) measured 1 year post-TBI. Results:The relationships between SWLS 1 year post-injury and a variety of demographic, injury, rehabilitation, and follow-up characteristics were modeled using generalized linear models. The final multivariable model explained 25.2% of variability in SWLS (F (7, 261) = 12.6, p < 0.001) and included quadratic effects for both age at injury and FIM cognitive scores 1 year post-injury, as well as effects for associated SCI and employment status 1 year post-injury (all p-values ⩽ 0.036). In general, higher age, no associated SCI, not being unemployed at 1 year post-injury, and very high or very low FIM cognitive scores were associated with greater SWLS scores 1 year post-injury. Conclusions:These results suggest a variety of demographic, injury, and follow-up characteristics are related with SWLS 1 year post-TBI in Hispanic individuals. Focusing rehabilitation efforts on improving cognition and vocational skills may improve SWLS in Hispanics 1 year post-TBI.

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, Hispanic, satisfaction with life

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-2012-0724

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 23-33, 2012