Psychosocial Factors Limit Outcomes after Trauma

Abstract

Psychological morbidity compromises return to work after trauma. We demonstrate this relationship and present methods to identify risks for significant psychological morbidity. Thirty-five adults were evaluated prospectively for return to functional employment after injury using demographic data, validated psychological and health measures, and the Michigan Critical Events Perception Scale. Evaluation was conducted at admission and at 1 and 5 months after injury. Poor return to work at 5 months was attributable to physical disability (p Psychological morbidity after injury compromises return to work independent of preinjury employment and psychopathologic condition, Injury Severity Score, or ambulation. A high Impact of Events Scale score or peritraumatic dissociation at admission predicts this morbidity.