Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J56621

Journal:


Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 24, 3, 145-154

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Objective: To determine whether caregivers' medical and psychiatric histories, coping style, and social support predict global distress and perceived burden. Design: Correlational, cohort study. Participants: A total of 114 caregivers of persons with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, assessed 1 year postinjury. Measures: Ratings of caregivers' medical and psychiatric history; Disability Rating Scale; Ways of Coping Questionnaire; Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; Brief Symptom Inventory; and Modified Caregiver Appraisal Scale. Results: Caregivers' medical and psychiatric histories predicted global distress, after accounting for education, sex, income, and relationship, as well as disability of the person with injury. Increased use of escape-avoidance as a coping strategy was related to increased distress. Perceived burden was predicted by disability in the person with injury. use of escape-avoidance. and perceived social support. Conclusions: Caregivers' preinjury functioning is more predictive of global distress, whereas the functioning of the person with injury is more predictive of injury-related burden. Caregivers' medical and psychiatric histories are important considerations when targeting interventions; global stress management strategies may be as important as assisting with injury-related issues. Keywords: caregivers. caregiver distress, traumatic brain injury

Author(s):


Davis L. C., Sander A. M., Struchen M. A., Sherer M., Nakase-Richardson R., and Malec J. F.

Participating Centers: