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Web-Based Parenting Skills Program for Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Reduces Psychological Distress Among
Stacey P Raj1, Tanya N Antonini, Karen S Oberjohn
1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio (Mss Raj, Antonini, and Oberjohn and Drs Cassedy, Makoroff, and Wade); Psychology Department, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (Ms Raj); and Psychology Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (Ms Antonini).
Insights
Web-based parent training significantly reduced psychological distress for lower-income caregivers of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Higher-income parents did not show similar improvements.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents unique challenges for families.
- Caregiver well-being is crucial for child recovery and development post-TBI.
- Parenting stress and psychological distress are common in caregivers of children with TBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based parent training program for caregivers of children with TBI.
- To examine changes in parent depression, psychological distress, parenting stress, and self-efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Randomized trial involving 37 primary caregivers of children (aged 3-9) with moderate/severe TBI.
- Intervention group received a 10-session online parent training program with videoconferencing.
- Control group received TBI Web resources; both groups had Internet access.
Main Results:
- Parent income moderated treatment effects.
- Lower-income parents in the intervention group showed significant reductions in psychological distress compared to controls.
- No significant differences were observed in depression, parenting stress, or self-efficacy between groups for higher-income parents.
Conclusions:
- Web-based parent training interventions may be particularly beneficial for lower-income families affected by pediatric TBI.
- Targeted support for vulnerable populations is essential in TBI care.
- Addressing environmental and injury-related stressors is key for caregiver well-being.
Objective:
To examine changes in parent depression, psychological distress, parenting stress, and self-efficacy among participants in a randomized trial of a Web-based parent training program for pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Methods:
Primary caregivers of 37 children aged 3 to 9 years who sustained a moderate/complicated mild to severe TBI were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group, and both groups were equipped with home Internet access. The online parent training program was designed to increase positive parenting skills and improve caregiver stress management. It consisted of 10 core sessions and up to 4 supplemental sessions. Each session included self-guided Web content, followed by a videoconference call with a therapist to discuss content and practice parenting skills with live feedback. Families in the control group received links to TBI Web resources.
Results:
Parent income moderated treatment effects on parent functioning. Specifically, lower-income parents in the parenting skills group reported significant reductions in psychological distress compared with lower-income parents in the control group. No differences were found among higher-income parents for depression, parenting stress, or caregiver efficacy.
Conclusions:
Parent training interventions post-TBI may be particularly valuable for lower-income parents who are vulnerable to both environmental and injury-related stresses.