What makes life worth living? Life satisfaction after moderate and severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the literature on factors influencing life satisfaction for adults after a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Methods: Pubmed, PsycInfo, SweMed+ and Scopus were queried for studies pertaining to life satisfaction for adults after a moderate or severe TBI. Additional studies were identified through searching bibliographies of related publications. Results: Titles were read for all matches in the searches, and abstracts were read for all matches exploring satisfaction with life. 42 articles were chosen for discussion in this review. The results show that life satisfaction is negatively influenced by cognitive functioning and depression, and positively influenced by productivity, participation in leisure activities, social integration, higher age and personality. Two important findings are that work status after TBI influences life satisfaction while work status prior to TBI does not, and that motor functioning does not influence life satisfaction directly in the longer term. Conclusion: Life satisfaction is a heterogenous concept involving numerous factors. When planning interventions after TBI, rehabilitation professionals should acknowledge the importance of an individual approach exploring meaningful activities and targeting social participation to influence life satisfaction.