Factors associated with perceived quality of life many years after traumatic brain injury

Objectives: To explore factors associated with perceived quality of life (QOL) 8 to 24 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Participants: Two hundred seventy-five individuals who sustained moderate to severe TBI who were discharged from a rehabilitation hospital participated in this study. We interviewed consenting participants up to 24 years after injury. Outcome Measures: Self-rated Quality of Life Scale. Results: Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that perceived mental health, self-rated health, gender (women rating QOL higher), participation in work and leisure. and the availability of emotional support were significantly associated with QOL (P < .05). Conclusion: The importance of designing ongoing support programs to further reintegrate TBI survivors several years after injury is discussed.