Authors

  1. Rapport, Lisa J. PhD
  2. Kreutzer, Jeffrey S. PhD
  3. Hart, Tessa PhD
  4. Marwitz, Jennifer H. MA
  5. Hammond, Flora MD
  6. TBI Model Systems at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Virginia Commonwealth University, Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Craig Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation.

Article Content

Objectives: To examine affective well-being, life satisfaction, and receipt of support services among caregivers of TBI survivors. Hypotheses: This study aimed to describe proportions of TBI caregivers reporting clinically significant distress, and proportions seeking various types of support both preinjury and postinjury. Associations between caregiver well-being and survivor functioning also were examined. Participants: Participants were 249 caregivers of TBI survivors, including spouses (n = 88), parents (n = 115), and nonspouse/nonparent adults (n = 46), who ranged in age from 18 to 99 years, interviewed at 1, 2, or 5 years postinjury. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, study employing a cross-sectional, correlational design. Participants' self-reported depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms and satisfaction with life were compared to normative data and clinical cutting scores. Types, frequencies, and correlates of support seeking, as well as relationships between caregiver well-being and survivor characteristics also, were examined. Results: Many caregivers exceeded cutoffs for clinically significant depression (17%), anxiety (16%), somatization (21%), and low satisfaction with life (23%); however, 43%-54% of caregivers who exceeded the various clinical cutoffs did not receive treatment. Caregivers who received treatment in the past year reported poorer well-being than those who did not, and a history of preinjury treatment was associated with poorer postinjury adjustment. Support was most frequently sought from houses of worship, followed by medication, family/friends, mental health professionals, and support groups. Significantly increased frequencies in help seeking after the injury were observed for all of these sources except mental health professionals. Correlates of well-being included hours spent in caregiving, as well as survivors' level of functioning, life satisfaction, and alcohol use. Conclusions: Using standardized assessment tools, multicenter investigation serves to document the emotional distress of caregivers and their limited use of support services. Additional research is needed to identify caregivers at risk and support services that will improve their outcomes.

 

REFERENCES

 

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