Article

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effects of caregiver mental health and coping
strategies on interactions with an injured adolescent acutely after traumatic
brain injury (TBI). DESIGN:
Multi-site, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Outpatient setting of 3 tertiary pediatric hospitals and 2 tertiary general
medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents (N = 125) aged 12-17 years, 1-6 months
after being hospitalized with complicated mild to severe TBI. METHODS: Data were
collected as part of a multi-site clinical trial of family problem-solving
therapy after TBI. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the
relationship of caregiver and environmental characteristics to the dimensions of
effective communication, warmth, and negativity during caregiver-adolescent
problem-solving discussions. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Adolescent and caregiver
interactions, as measured by the Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales. RESULTS:
Caregivers who utilized problem-focused coping strategies were rated as having
higher levels of effective communication (P < .01), as were those with higher
socioeconomic status (P < .01). Problem-focused coping style and higher
socioeconomic status were also associated lower levels of negative interactions
(P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Female gender of the adolescent and fewer
children in the home were associated with increased parental warmth during the
interaction (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Neither adolescent TBI severity
nor caregiver depression significantly influenced caregiver-teen interactions.
CONCLUSIONS: Problem-focused coping strategies are associated with higher levels
of effective communication and lower levels of caregiver negativity during the
initial months after adolescent TBI, suggesting that effective caregiver coping
may facilitate better caregiver-adolescent interactions after TBI.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS