The impact of a mild traumatic head injury on self efficacy and work adjustment

Abstract

This research explored the impact of an mTBI on self-efficacy and work adjustment. Bandura (1997) defines self-efficacy as an individual’s belief in their capabilities to execute actions required to achieve a goal. Research indicates that although most individuals recover from an mTBI within weeks to months, a proportion continue to experience persistent physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that may negatively affect daily functioning and occupational participation (Carroll et al., 2020; Cole & Bailie, 2015). The study highlights that workplace factors, including insufficient workplace support, contributed to difficulties in adjusting to work following an mTBI. A biopsychosocial (BPS) theoretical model was adopted, providing a comprehensive framework through which to investigate the interactive relationship between biological impairments, psychological factors, and the work environment. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory was further utilised to understand the participants’ beliefs in their physical, cognitive, and emotional capacity to cope with challenges during work adjustment following an mTBI. The impact of self-efficacy was explored through the primary sources of self-efficacy, including mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, as well as the regulation of emotional and physiological states. Participants included individuals who had previously been involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), sustained an mTBI, been employed in stable skilled positions, and had subsequently returned to work. A qualitative research method was employed, and 17 participants were initially selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Following data saturation, only 10 interviews were included in the final analysis. Participants were recruited from private neuropsychological practices in KwaZulu-Natal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) was administered, and historical records were reviewed. A phenomenography approach was utilised to describe, compare, and contrast categories of the participants’ collective experiences in order to gain deeper insight into the impact of an mTBI on self-efficacy and work adjustment. Self-efficacy emerged as a central construct, influencing the participants’ perceived capacity to manage physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges following an mTBI. The study further identified workplace support and accommodation as key mediating factors that influenced self-efficacy and facilitated successful work adjustment following an mTBI.