Relationship of preinjury caregiver and family functioning to community integration in adults with traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship of preinjury caregiver and family functioning to community integration outcomes in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Inception cohort.


METHODS
Three TBI Model Systems inpatient rehabilitation facilities.


METHODS
Persons with TBI (N=141) and their caregivers admitted to inpatient rehabilitation and followed up at 1 to 2 years after injury.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Community Integration Questionnaire and the Social and Occupation scales of the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique.


RESULTS
There were significant interactions of several preinjury caregiver and family variables with injury severity. For persons with complicated mild/moderate injury, better family functioning was associated with greater home integration, and less caregiver distress was associated with better social integration. For persons with severe injuries, greater caregiver perceived social support was associated with better outcomes in productivity and social integration.


CONCLUSIONS
Preinjury caregiver and family characteristics interact with injury severity to affect outcomes in persons with injury. Research on outcomes should include measures of caregiver and family functioning. Early interventions targeted toward decreasing caregiver distress, increasing support, and improving family functioning may have a positive impact on later outcomes.
Sady
Maegan D
MD
Brain Injury Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX 77019, USA. asander@bcm.edu
Sander
Angelle M
AM
Clark
Allison N
AN
Sherer
Mark
M
Nakase-Richardson
Risa
R
Malec
James F
JF
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome