10-year variability in high and low life satisfaction trajectories post-traumatic brain injury: a TBI model systems study

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To determine how life satisfaction changes across the first 10 years following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

Participants included 1,941 individuals from the TBI Model Systems database with life satisfaction data at 1-, 5-, and 10-years post-TBI. Based on Satisfaction With Life Scale scores, individuals were characterized as having one of the five 10-year life satisfaction trajectories: ‘Stable High,’ ‘Stable Low,’ ‘Increased to High,’ ‘Decreased to Low,’ and ‘Unstable.’ These were analyzed for group differences in demographics and psychosocial and functional outcomes.

Results

Sixty percent participants had ‘Stable High’ or ‘Increasing to High’ trajectories. Approximately 25% had “Stable Low’ or ‘Decreasing to Low’ trajectories, and approximately 15% had unstable trajectories. Higher life satisfaction trajectories were associated with the best psychosocial and functional outcomes whereas lower trajectories were associated with the worst psychosocial and functional outcomes. Trajectories were indistinguishable based on demographics.

Conclusion

Life satisfaction over the first 10 years following TBI is dynamic, with most individuals reporting high life satisfaction by 10 years post-TBI. Examination of psychosocial and functional factors related to life satisfaction trajectories may inform community-based intervention recommendations, resources, and supports to maximize long-term satisfaction with life.

KEYWORDS:

• Traumatic brain injury
• personal satisfaction
• patient outcome assessment
• patient-relevant outcome
• rehabilitation outcome

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2024.2347567

Additional information

Funding

The contents of this manuscript were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant numbers 90DPTB0027, PI: Giacino; 90DPTB0020, PI: Harrison-Felix/Mellick; 90DPTB0023-01-00, PI: Driver/Pinto; 90DPTB0022, PI: Hammond/Neumann; 90DPTB0025, PI: Sander. NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this manuscript do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.