Using multiple views of family dynamics to predict the mental health of individuals with TBI and their caregivers in Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
To examine differences in ratings of family dynamics between individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their family caregivers in Mexico, as well as differences in the prediction of caregiver and patient mental health outcomes from those ratings.


METHODS
Forty-two patient-caregiver dyads (n = 84) from the National Institute of Rehabilitation in México City participated in a comprehensive evaluation of their family dynamics and mental health.


RESULTS
Patients' and caregivers' ratings of family dynamics were significantly correlated and did not differ across five of six types of family dynamics, but caregivers rated their family's level of empathy higher than patients, p < 0.001. Additionally, all patient and caregiver ratings of family dynamics were significantly correlated. Patients', caregivers', and combined (using structural equation modeling latent constructs) ratings of family dynamics robustly predicted four times as many caregiver mental health outcomes as patient mental health outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Family dynamics influence both TBI patient and caregiver mental health but much more so in caregivers. Research on families of individuals with TBI in Mexico should incorporate both patient and caregiver perspectives to more comprehensively depict the environment in which TBI rehabilitation occurs.
Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
Lillian F
LF
Stevens
Paul B
PB
Perrin
Rebecca
R
Hubbard
Dulce María
DM
Díaz Sosa
Irma Guadalupe
IG
Espinosa Jove
Juan Carlos
JC
Arango-Lasprilla
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008800:Mexico; D010549:Personal Satisfaction
TBI; caregivers; family functioning; mental health outcomes