Abstract:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition that can have diverse and wide-ranging
effects. Survivors of TBI often experience a unique constellation of symptoms with cognitive,
emotional, and physical sequela. The present study sought to elucidate the effects of TBI on
romantic relationship satisfaction. A sample of 122 survivors of TBI completed an online
survey. All participants were at least 18 years old and were in a romantic relationship of at least
six months’ duration. Participants were surveyed regarding their attachment security,
relationship satisfaction, partner support, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Results
from a multiple regression analysis indicated that attachment security accounted for a significant
amount of variance in HRQOL whereas relationship satisfaction and partner support did not.
Additionally, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine if there
were significant differences between male and female survivors of TBI in terms of relationship
satisfaction and HRQOL. Results of the one-way ANOVA indicated no gender differences in
either variable. Implications for theory and practice and directions for future research are
discussed.
