Primary objective: To compare the pre-injury subjective quality of life (SQOL) estimates of a representative sample of adults with TBI, using the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) with the measure's generic US-based norms and identify a factor structure for the instrument within the local TBI population. Research design: A population-based, cross-sectional design conducted with data collected by the Neurotrauma Register of Tasmania (2003-2005). Methods and procedures: As soon as possible following their emergence from post-traumatic amnesia, 470 participants provided pre-injury estimates of their SQOL using the QOLI. The distribution of this sample was compared with the measure's normative distribution. The sample was separated evenly into two groups (n = 235) for separate exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Main outcomes and results: Small differences were found between the pre-injury estimates and the QOLI's US-based normative distribution. Corrections were provided to clinical classification ranges for this population. Three factors were identified and confirmed for the QOLI in separate TBI samples. Conclusion: The results of this study support theuse of the QOLI in measuring SQOL in TBI rehabilitation and outcomes research.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Subjective Quality of life, traumatic brain injury, confirmatory factor analysis, Quality of Life Inventory
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Neurosciences
Research Field:	Central nervous system
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Skilbeck, CE (Associate Professor Clive Skilbeck)
UTAS Author:	Slatyer, MA (Dr Mark Slatyer)
ID Code:	60297
Year Published:	2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:	15
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2010-01-28
Last Modified:	2010-03-26
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