title: Factors related to satisfaction with life in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Satisfaction with life (SWL) is an important measure of outcome in rehabilitation. Previous research suggests that those with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), even mild TBI, report lower levels of life satisfaction when compared with the noninjured population. Although is it possible that TBI has a direct effect on SWL, various medical and psychosocial factors commonly affecting those recovering from TBI likely contribute to SWL.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study aimed to identify factors related to SWL in 95 veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) with a history of mild TBI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analyses indicated that headache impact, pain interference, sleep quality, posttraumatic stress symptom severity, and social support were all significantly related to SWL. However, when secondary analyses were conducted including posttraumatic stress symptom severity as a covariate before the entry of other predictors, only sleep quality and social support remained significantly associated with SWL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate the importance of properly identifying and treating symptoms of posttraumatic stress in veterans with a history of mTBI, as posttraumatic stress symptoms appear to be strongly related to SWL in those with a history of mild TBI. Optimizing sleep quality and social support may also be important in improving SWL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Houston.
authors.forename: Jennifer N Travis
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Seidl
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Pastorek
authors.affiliation: Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation.
authors.forename: Rema
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lillie
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Houston.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt
authors.affiliation: TBI Center of Excellence, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Troyanskaya
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Brian I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Mental Health, VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romesser
authors.affiliation: Veterans Brain Injury Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lippa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Anita H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Linck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*