The Determinants of Work Adjustment following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Focus for Career Counsellors

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the determinants of work adjustment in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) population, using the frameworks provided by Hershenson (1996) and Moos (2002) as a guide for selecting variables. Based on these frameworks, the predictive utility of a range of variables (i.e., self-esteem, perceived support, situational stressors, appraisal of stress and self-efficacy and coping responses) was examined. Eighty-one individuals with TBI provided data for the study. The prediction of work adjustment was improved beyond that accounted for by initial adjustment when these previously-mentioned variables were entered into regression equations. Specifically, short-term work adjustment was associated with high levels of social support and self-efficacy as well as the effective use of problem-solving. In the long-term, however, internal resources such as self-esteem became more important to work adjustment, as did the effects of lesion location and cognitive impairment. Greater focus on these determinants of work adjustment in the career counselling process could foster the development of a preventative approach to TBI vocational rehabilitation. In particular, it may be possible to identify individuals who are likely to experience work adjustment difficulties and assist them to maintain and develop the resources that will, in turn, improve their likelihood of vocational success.