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Research

TBI Model Systems

Family Needs: A Quantitative Analysis
The Question: What are the common family needs after traumatic brain injury?

Past Studies report high levels of strain on all family members of a person with traumatic brain injury, especially spouses. The lack of quantitative data has limited the ability to allocate resources and develop relevant support programs.

This Study administered the Family Needs Questionnaire (FNQ) to 119 family members of persons with traumatic brain injury. Persons included had mild, moderate, or severe injuries and were in the acute and post-acute stages of injury. Relatives, including wives, parents, and children, rated 40 needs based on importance and the extent to which needs were met. Their responses revealed that most needs were judged as important, especially those pertaining to information and reassurance. The pattern of frequently reported unmet needs suggested that many family members felt misunderstood, isolated, and unsupported. Income and gender were related to needs but family education, age, and injury characteristics were not.

Who May Be Affected By These Findings: Persons with traumatic brain injury, their families and caregivers, health care providers, interpreters and administrators of the FNQ, researchers

Caveats: Findings were consistent with previous research on family needs and provided evidence that the Family Needs Questionnaire has content validity.

Bottom Line: Information and reassurance were found to be the most important needs identified by the family members. In particular, information on behavior management, prognosis, cognitive impairment, and rehabilitation care appeared to be a priority for family members. These findings provide support for initiatives to develop family education, support, and respite programs.

Find This Study:
Kreutzer, J. S.; Serio, C. D.; Bergquist, S. (1994). Family needs after brain injury: A quantitative analysis. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 9, (3), 104-115.

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