Return to work after acquired brain injury: the influence of executive dysfunction profiles

OBJECTIVES: Executive dysfunction (ED) following acquired brain injury (ABI) is a well-established predictor of poor functional abilities and employment outcomes. However, there has been a lack of research focusing on the distinct contributions of different ED profiles. This study aimed to determine whether different ED profiles predict difficulties in returning to work for individuals who have suffered an ABI. Methods: Sixty-five working-age individuals who experienced an ABI participated in this study. The FrSBe and the ADLQ-T self-report scales were utilized to assess ED profiles and functional abilities, respectively. These measures were compared between individuals who did and did not return to their jobs. Mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the contribution of each ED profile and its predictive capacity for return to work. RESULTS: Overall measures of ED reliably predicted challenges in performing daily activities and returning to work. Additionally, the predictive relationship between ED profiles and return to work was partially mediated by difficulties in daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Various ED profiles (executive cognition, apathy, and disinhibition) contribute predictively to the ability to return to work. These findings suggest that ED profiles offer valuable insights for better characterizing the challenges individuals face in returning to their jobs following an ABI.