Family appraisal of paediatric acquired brain injury: a social work clinical intervention trial

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A Novel Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury for Juvenile Rats
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A Novel Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury for Juvenile Rats

Published on: December 8, 2014

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Lyndal Hickey1,2,3, Vicki Anderson1,2,3, Stephen Hearps3

  • 1a The Royal Children's Hospital , Melbourne , Australia.

Developmental Neurorehabilitation
|February 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The Family Forward intervention did not significantly improve family appraisal of pediatric acquired brain injury compared to usual care. Both groups showed reduced trauma and grief, but emotional resources remained depleted post-discharge.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Rehabilitation
  • Family Psychology

Background:

  • Acquired brain injury (ABI) in children presents significant challenges for families.
  • Optimizing family appraisal is crucial for adaptation during rehabilitation and transition home.
  • Existing social work practices may not fully address these family needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of the 'Family Forward' intervention with 'Usual Care' social work practice.
  • To assess the impact on family appraisal of pediatric acquired brain injury.
  • To improve family adaptation during inpatient rehabilitation and early home transition.

Main Methods:

  • A single-site, prospective, sequential comparison group design was employed.
  • Families of children with ABI were recruited at admission to a tertiary pediatric hospital.
  • Parental measures of trauma, grief, and illness perception were collected at admission, discharge, and 6 weeks post-discharge.

Main Results:

  • The 'Family Forward' group had more traumatic brain injuries and longer hospital admissions than 'Usual Care'.
  • No significant differences in family appraisal outcomes were observed between the groups at any time point.
  • Both groups reported decreased trauma/grief and improved injury perception, but maintained depleted emotional resources.

Conclusions:

  • The 'Family Forward' intervention requires enhancements to support ongoing family appraisal of pediatric ABI.
  • Further research is needed to determine if the 'Family Forward' approach sustains long-term family system adaptation.
  • Insights into family appraisal experiences during early pediatric ABI recovery are provided.
Abstract

Keywords:
Acquired brain injurychildfamily interventiongriefsocial worktrauma

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