A prospective study of long-term caregiver and family adaptation following brain injury in children.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We examined long-term differences in family adaptation following traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and orthopedic injuries. DESIGN: Families of children with severe TBI (n = 53), moderate TBI (n = 56), and orthopedic injuries (n = 80) were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months post injury and at an extended follow-up an average of 4.1 years post injury. Caregiver and family outcomes were examined using mixed model analysis. RESULTS: Patterns of adaptation over time varied across groups but indicated long-standing injury-related stress and burden in the severe TBI group. CONCLUSIONS: Severe TBI results in persistent caregiver stress for a substantial proportion of families.