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Sibling adjustment to pediatric traumatic brain injury: a case-controlled pilot study
M A McMahon1, R B Noll, L J Michaud
1Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. mcmamo@chmcc.org
Insights
Siblings of children with severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) showed no differences in depression, self-concept, or behavior. However, poorer TBI outcomes correlated with sibling depression and lower self-concept.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Child psychology
- Neurorehabilitation
Background:
- Pediatric severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly impacts affected children and their families.
- The psychological and behavioral adjustment of non-affected siblings is an understudied area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate depressive symptoms, self-concept, and behavior in siblings of children with severe TBI.
- To explore the relationship between the TBI patient's functional outcomes and sibling adjustment.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study comparing 12 siblings of children with severe TBI to randomly selected classmates.
- Utilized the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Teacher's Report Form (TRF-CBCL), Self-Perception Profile for Children, and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in depressive symptoms, self-concept, or behavior were observed between siblings and controls 3-18 months post-injury.
- A significant correlation was found between poorer functional outcomes in the child with TBI and lower self-concept and increased depressive symptoms in siblings.
Conclusions:
- While direct psychological and behavioral differences were not found, indirect impacts on siblings warrant further investigation.
- Additional research is necessary to fully understand and support sibling adjustment following pediatric TBI.
Objective:
To assess depressive symptoms, self-concept, and behavior in non-affected siblings of children with severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Design:
Cross-sectional study with case controls.
Setting:
Children's hospital tertiary care center.
Participants:
Twelve siblings of children consecutively admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after a severe TBI. Case controls were randomly selected from the sibling's classmates.
Main Outcome Measures:
The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Teacher's Report Form of the CBCL (TRF-CBCL), the Self-Perception Profile for Children and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI).
Results:
No statistical differences were found in depressive symptoms, self-concept, or behavior between the siblings and their classmates 3 to 18 months after injury. Poorer functional outcomes in the child with a TBI were found to correlate significantly with lower self-concept and more symptoms of depression in the siblings.
Conclusions:
Further research is needed to evaluate the potential impact on sibling adjustment after pediatric TBI.