Factors affecting adjustment of parents of head trauma victims.
This study was aimed at elucidating the factors associated with good and poor adjustment in the parents of adult head trauma victims. Forty-eight parents of adult trauma victims were administered the Hassles Scale, the Ways of Coping Inventory, the SCL-90, and the Sickness Impact Profile. The following results were obtained: 1. Psychosocial dysfunction in the offspring was correlated with severity of stress in the parents. 2. Psychiatric maladjustment in the parent was associated with increased stress. 3. Parents poor emotional adjustment were more inclined to use coping strategies involving confrontation or avoidance.
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Psychology Department, Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA.