Work adjustment and readjustment of persons with mid-career onset traumatic brain injury

This study investigated the effects of mid-career onset traumatic brain injury on work adjustment, as well as examining the utility of Hershenson's model of work adjustment. Ten clients in a head injury rehabilitation programme were intensively interviewed and completed questionnaires concerning the effect of their mid-career onset disability on their work adjustment. Information about post-traumatic work adjustment and coping was identified, collated and summarized. Results indicated that for this population work adjustment assumes a special meaning and career development becomes a redevelopment and planning process, rather than an unbroken, linear process. Results also suggested the utility of the Hershenson model for structuring studies on this specific topic and further emphasized that work adjustment development must be studied in the context of personal, family and social development.