Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J75310

Journal:


Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 32, 1, E33-E41

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined the characteristics and concerns of caregivers of adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the first few months after the TBI survivor was discharged to the community. Data were collected during a randomized controlled trial involving 153 caregiver-survivor pairs, with 77 randomized to the treatment group and 76 to the control group. The telephone-based intervention combined education and mentored problem-solving for participants in the treatment group. Participants in the control group received usual care. Data regarding caregiver demographics, caregiver-survivor relationship characteristics, caregiver activity changes, and concerns targeted by caregivers for education and problem-solving via biweekly phone calls were examined. Seventy-one caregivers in the treatment group participated in at least 1 call in which a concern was targeted and addressed as part of the intervention procedures. Thirty-nine percent of caregivers were spouses and 35 percent were parents. Sixty-five percent lived in the same house as the survivor preinjury with 86 percent in touch daily to several times per week. Concerns targeted by more than one-third of caregivers related to managing their emotional adjustment, strategies for getting things done, managing survivor emotions and behaviors, and engaging in healthful habits. Findings show that caregivers of TBI survivors targeted personal concerns relating to their own emotional adjustment and participation as well as concerns relating to symptoms and recovery of the TBI survivor.

Author(s):


Powell, Janet M., Wise, Elizabeth K., Brockway, Jo Ann, Fraser, Robert, Temkin, Nancy, Bell, Kathleen R.

Participating Centers: