title: Family functioning in severe brain injuries: correlations with caregivers' burden, perceived social support and quality of life.
abstract: Severe brain injuries have long-term consequences on functional status and psychosocial functioning. Family life can be greatly influenced as well, and features of high caregiver burden can emerge. Although the data on caregivers' distress are constantly increasing, less information is available about the role of family functioning. Thirty caregivers of hospitalised patients with severe brain injuries received questionnaires for the evaluation of caregiver burden, family functioning and perceived social support. A semi-structured interview was performed for the evaluation of quality of life. Family cohesion and adaptability positively correlated with caregivers' quality of life and perceived social support. Partner caregivers' scores were significantly higher on the time-dependent burden than those of sons and daughters, whereas the latter scored higher on the emotional burden.
authors: a Clinical Psychology Unit , Neuroscience Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana , Pisa , Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Tramonti
authors: b Neurorehabilitation Unit, Neuroscience Department , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana , Pisa , Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Bonfiglio
authors: c School of Psychology, Pisa University , Pisa , Italy.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Di Bernardo
authors: c School of Psychology, Pisa University , Pisa , Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Ulivi
authors: d Severe Acquired Brain Injuries Unit, Neuroscience Department , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana , Pisa , Italy.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Virgillito
authors: b Neurorehabilitation Unit, Neuroscience Department , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana , Pisa , Italy.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Rossi
authors: d Severe Acquired Brain Injuries Unit, Neuroscience Department , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana , Pisa , Italy.
authors: Maria Chiara
authors: MC
authors: Carboncini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000451:nursing*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support
keywords: brain injuries; caregiver burden; family; quality of life; social support