Pre-injury estimates of subjective quality of life following traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the pre-injury subjective quality of life (SQOL) estimates of a representative sample of adults with TBI, using the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) with the measure's generic US-based norms and identify a factor structure for the instrument within the local TBI population.


METHODS
A population-based, cross-sectional design conducted with data collected by the Neurotrauma Register of Tasmania (2003-2005).


METHODS
As soon as possible following their emergence from post-traumatic amnesia, 470 participants provided pre-injury estimates of their SQOL using the QOLI. The distribution of this sample was compared with the measure's normative distribution. The sample was separated evenly into two groups (n = 235) for separate exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.


RESULTS
Small differences were found between the pre-injury estimates and the QOLI's US-based normative distribution. Corrections were provided to clinical classification ranges for this population. Three factors were identified and confirmed for the QOLI in separate TBI samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study support the use of the QOLI in measuring SQOL in TBI rehabilitation and outcomes research.
Thomas
M D
MD
School of Social Science and Liberal Studies, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. psychflyer@hotmail.com
Skilbeck
C E
CE
Slatyer
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013648:Tasmania; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult