Improving Well-Being After TBI Through Structured Volunteer Activity

Improving Well-Being After TBI Through Structured Volunteer Activity

The purpose of this project is to determine if participating in volunteer activity improves the psychological well-being of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has sustained a documented TBI that required inpatient rehabilitation;
• is at least one year post TBI;
• is age 18 or older;
• is able to commit to completing the entire three month volunteer placement;
• is English or Spanish speaking;
• receives written medical release from a physician to participate in this intervention;
• is rated a level 1-2 on the Supervision Rating Scale (functionally independent during the day);
• provides informed consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• Is employed or engaged in regularly scheduled volunteer work outside of the intervention;
• obtains a score of 25 or above on the SWLS, which is 0.5 SD above the TBIMS NDB mean;
• unable to travel to assessments and placement; even with study transportation assistance;
• has been convicted of a felony, which would prohibit volunteer placement;
• unable to communicate effectively to complete standardized assessments;
• has cognitive impairment that precludes completion of baseline testing;