METHODS

Participants

In the research we included 43 persons with an acquired brain injury, of which 14 (32,6%) were women and 29 (67,6%) were men that are daily included in comprehensive long-term rehabilitation at Center Naprej. The duration of their inclusion in Center Naprej is from 1 to 14 years (M= 7,51, SD = 4,72) their average age is 51,86 years (SD = 3,13). 17 users (39,5%) suffered a traumatic injury, and 26 users (60.5%) suffered a non-traumatic injury.

Measuring instruments

We used a quantitative research method. In the research, we used three measuring instruments, one of which is generally established, and two were internally designed for the needs of the work at Center Naprej.

Qolibri (Quality of Life after Brain Injury)

The Qolibri questionnaire (Quality of Life after Brain Injury) is a self-assessment measuring instrument, which is used to measure the health-related quality of life of people with ABI in various areas affected by brain injury. The questionnaire comprises 6 different dimensions. Each of them consists of 5 - 7 questions, 37 questions in total. 4 dimensions measure the individual's satisfaction in various areas (thinking ability, self-perception, autonomy and social relations) and 2 dimensions measure the extent, to which the individual is bothered by certain problems (emotional and physical problem areas). Participants give their answers on a 5-point scale (1 - very dissatisfied / it bothers me a lot to 5 - very satisfied / it doesn't bother me at all). The questionnaire also contains one additional area, which refers to satisfaction with the general well-being in life.

Wheel of life

The wheel of life and the self-assessment of goal achieving are internally designed measuring instruments of the Center Naprej for determining and measuring the quality of life of users in the Center Naprej, which are part of the user's individual rehabilitation plan.

The wheel of life is divided into 10 areas/categories:

1. Employment / education / knowledge.
2. Finance / money / wealth.
3. Family / home.
4. Partnership / love.
5. Health / fitness / recreation.
6. Friendship / social circle.
7. Entertainment / leisure time.
8. Control of the environment / independence.
9. Self-esteem / personal growth.
10. Emotions.

Every 2 years, the user (with the support of the therapist) evaluates/assesses the areas on the wheel of life. Each area is evaluated on a scale from 1 (extremely bad) to 10 (extremely good, excellent); 1 means insufficient and 10 means excellent. After evaluating each category, grades are inscribed on the wheel. This creates a spider web that shows areas of life, that user is satisfied with and which areas are declining. Each area affects the life of an individual user. When evaluating and / or charting the wheel of life, it doesn't matter where you start or with which category.

According to our results, the alpha coefficient for the entire scale at the first assessment is α₁ = 0,84 and at the second assessment α₂ = 0,84.

Rehabilitation goals of users - self-assessment

First step of the user is to set general goals for individual areas, which they self-reflected on the Wheel of Life. The user selects the areas in which they want to change or improve something. General goals are the basis for setting more specific goals in individual areas of life. Specific goals are achieved by participating in rehabilitation programs with the help of therapists and other employees. The user can set a new goal at any time during rehabilitation. Once a year, with the support of employees, users provide a self-assessment of goal achievements on a scale from 1 (very far from the goal) to 10 (the goal has been achieved). The results / achievements of goals are recorded in the user's Annual Report.