Adaptation six months after multiple trauma: a pilot study

This pilot study investigated the functional and psychosocial adaptation of 18 survivors of multiple trauma who were in the home setting 6 months after discharge from a tertiary trauma center. Seventeen subjects reported complete functional independence and one reported the need for assistance with self-care activities as measured by the Modified Barthel Index. All subjects reported problems with psychosocial adaptation as measured by the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS). Subjects with high PAIS scores (worst adaptation) reported problems in all domains of the PAIS, whereas those with low PAIS scores (best adaptation) reported most problems in health care orientation. Mann-Whitney U tests were significant for gender, household composition and employment status when compared with low PAIS scores (p < 0.05). An analysis of variance confirmed employment status was the best predictive factor for low PAIS scores.