Citation

Thomas MD, Skilbeck CE, Slatyer M. Brain Inj. 2009; 23(6): 516-527.

Affiliation

School of Social Science and Liberal Studies, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. psychflyer@hotmail.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699050902926333

PMID

19484625

Abstract

PRIMARY 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. RESEARCH DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional design conducted with data collected by the Neurotrauma Register of Tasmania (2003-2005). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: 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. MAIN OUTCOMES AND 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. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the use of the QOLI in measuring SQOL in TBI rehabilitation and outcomes research.

Language: en