Gender Influences on Return to Work After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the influence of gender on the return to work experience of workers who sustained a work-related mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Qualitative study using in-depth telephone interviews.


METHODS
Community.


METHODS
Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Participants were adults (N=12; males, n=6, females, n=6) with a diagnosis of mild TBI sustained through a workplace injury.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Not applicable.


RESULTS
Our findings suggest that gender impacts return to work experiences in multiple ways. Occupational and breadwinner roles were significant for both men and women after work-related mild TBI. Women in this study were more proactive than men in seeking and requesting medical and rehabilitation services; however, the workplace culture may contribute to whether and how health issues are discussed. Among our participants, those who worked in supportive, nurturing (eg, feminine) workplaces reported more positive return to work (RTW) experiences than participants employed in traditionally masculine work environments. For all participants, employer and coworker relations were critical elements in RTW outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of a gender analysis in this preliminary exploratory study revealed that gender is implicated in the RTW process on many levels for men and women alike. Further examination of the work reintegration processes that takes gender into account is necessary for the development of successful policy and practice for RTW after work-related MTBI.
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Work and Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Mary
M
Stergiou-Kita
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Elizabeth
E
Mansfield
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Sandra
S
Sokoloff
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: angela.colantonio@utoronto.ca.
Angela
A
Colantonio
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
Brain injuries; Employment; Rehabilitation; Return to work