COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND LIFE SATISFACTION AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY - LONG-TERM FINDINGS

Objective. This study examines the relationship of the degree of commu nity integration to the life satisfaction of persons with traumatic br ain injury (TBI). Method. The responses to two self-administered quest ionnaires measuring aspects of community integration and life satisfac tion were studied for 30 persons with TBI who were 26 to 60 years of a ge. Results. A significant relationship (rho = .37, p < .05) was found between life satisfaction and social integration (a component of comm unity integration), No significant association was found between the t otal community integration score and life satisfaction. Conclusion. Th e results suggest the need for rehabilitation programs to provide long -term assistance with community-based social integration as well as mo re effective treatment strategies to develop these skills in persons w ith TBI.