Prediction of employment status following traumatic brain injury using a behavioural measure of frontal lobe functioning.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a behavioural measure of frontal lobe functioning, the Brock Adaptive Functioning Questionnaire (BAFQ), could predict employment status following traumatic brain injury (TBI).
DESIGN: A discriminant function analysis was conducted to determine the ability of the BAFQ, along with other factors, to predict occupational status post-injury.
METHODS: Sixty-one TBI survivors completed a background information questionnaire, the BAFQ, and an employment status rating scale.
RESULTS: A factor analysis of the BAFQ sub-scales revealed two factors, one related to functioning in the orbitofrontal area, and one related to dorsolateral frontal lobe functioning. These two factors, along with background information, were entered into a discriminant function analysis, revealing a 77.4% accuracy rate in predicting occupational status post-injury.
CONCLUSIONS: Demographic variables were found to differentiate employed from unemployed survivors. The BAFQ appeared useful in differentiating survivors who may return to their pre-injury employment level from those who may require modified employment.