Prediction of employment status following traumatic brain injury using a behavioural measure of frontal lobe functioning.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether a behavioural measure of frontal lobe functioning, the Brock Adaptive Functioning Questionnaire (BAFQ), could predict employment status following traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
A discriminant function analysis was conducted to determine the ability of the BAFQ, along with other factors, to predict occupational status post-injury.


METHODS
Sixty-one TBI survivors completed a background information questionnaire, the BAFQ, and an employment status rating scale.


RESULTS
A factor analysis of the BAFQ sub-scales revealed two factors, one related to functioning in the orbitofrontal area, and one related to dorsolateral frontal lobe functioning. These two factors, along with background information, were entered into a discriminant function analysis, revealing a 77.4% accuracy rate in predicting occupational status post-injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Demographic variables were found to differentiate employed from unemployed survivors. The BAFQ appeared useful in differentiating survivors who may return to their pre-injury employment level from those who may require modified employment.
Simpson
Amy
A
Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
Schmitter-Edgecombe
Maureen
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires