Employment probability trajectories in hispanics over the 10 years after traumatic brain injury: A model systems study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research has found that Hispanics with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have reduced functional outcomes compared to non-Hispanic Whites, including lower probabilities of post-injury employment. However, previous studies were cross-sectional, combined racial/ethnic minority groups, and did not examine the factors that predict return to work of Hispanics longitudinally. OBJECTIVE: To determine the demographic and injury-related predictors of employment probability trajectories during the first 10 years after TBI. METHODS: 1,346 Hispanics in the TBI Model Systems Database were included. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine baseline predictors of employment probability trajectories across this time period. RESULTS: Employment probability demonstrated a quadratic movement over time, with an initial increase followed by a plateau or slight decrease. Hispanics with TBI had higher employment probability trajectories if they had been younger at the time of injury, spent less time in posttraumatic amnesia, had greater years of education, had been employed at the time of injury, had higher annual earnings at the time of injury, and had experienced a non-violent mechanism of injury. CONCLUSION: Culturally adapted treatment programs with a focus on early intervention incorporating vocational rehabilitation and employment programs for Hispanics with TBI who present with these risk factors are needed.