Date of Submission

2006

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP

First Advisor

Michael Ascher, Ph.D., Chairperson

Second Advisor

Virginia Salzer, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Anne Marie McLaughlin, Ph.D.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional outcomes of clients who received post-acute rehabilitation services following a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in an effort to identify predictors affecting outcome. An archival database was used to study three different outcome measure ratings over two and or three consecutive time periods. There were 105 participants, 82 male, 23 female, 87 residential and 18 outpatient, who were 19-78 years of age. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted within subjects to identify changes across time. No significant changes were found. A between subjects MANOVA was conducted to study relationships between preexisting characteristics prior to injury, injury characteristics, placement and gender with outcome measures. A significant relationship was found between the type of placement and outcome measures of ability and participation (F = 2.18, p = < .01), suggesting the appropriate placement of persons with TBI given the greater level of impairment experienced. Outpatient participants were found to have more adjustment problems than those in residential care, suggesting a different experience of mood symptoms and adjustment issues. A significant relationship was found between the DRS 8 (Employability) item and age at admission, (F = 4.28, p = < .01) suggesting that those in the age group 29 – 38 years are deemed to have greater employability. In conclusion, although there were no significant findings for other preexisting characteristics, longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the outcome measures and possible predictors of outcome.

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