Predicting Family Needs After Brain Injury

Past Studies

Past Studies report that families commonly experience difficulty readjusting after a family member experiences traumatic brain injury. Early family outcome studies were limited and inaccurate because of inappropriate measurement tools used.

This Study

This Study used multiple standardized assessments. The researchers considered the injury characteristics, the person with traumatic brain injury, and family information to statistically predict family needs after traumatic brain injury. This study revealed outcome predictors differ for parents and spouses based on the role of the person with a brain injury in the family. Family members’ ratings of the person with traumatic brain injury ‘s neurobehavioral status were a good predictor of family needs. Time since injury and duration of unconsciousness were not strong predictors of family needs. Neuropsychological tests revealed little about family needs. Patient, family and injury characteristics were not sufficient to predict family needs.

Who May Be Affected By These Findings

 Persons with brain injury, their significant others, and caregivers, health care providers

Caveats

It appears that in some cases staff did not adequately provide emotional support. It also appears that family members were offered emotional support, but were not willing to accept it. It appears the timing of offering support and the families’ willingness to receive such support need to be further researched.

Bottom Line

The researchers revealed that a family members’ perception of the person with traumatic brain injury’s neurobehavioral status appeared to be a stronger predictor of family needs that were the actual neuropsychological test results. Different predictors were identified for parents and spouses. The authors suggest that strengthened community support may promote family independence.

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