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Published on: April 11, 2025
Marital Stability Over 10 Years Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Flora M Hammond1, Mitch Sevigny, Samantha Backhaus
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (Drs Hammond, Neumann, Katta-Charles, and Backhaus); Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana (Drs Hammond, Neumann, Katta-Charles, and Backhaus); Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center, Englewood, Colorado (Mss Sevigny and Gazett); Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado (Mr Sevigny and Ms Gazett); and The Ohio State University, Columbus (Dr Corrigan).
Objective:
To examine the stability of marriage from the time of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to 10 years postinjury.
Design:
Retrospective cohort.
Setting:
TBI Model Systems centers.
Participants:
In total, 1423 participants in the TBI Model Systems National Database who experienced TBI 10 years prior and were married at the time of injury.
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measure:
Remaining married to the same partner from the time of injury to 10-year follow-up.
Results:
At 10 years, 66% (938) remained married to the same person. Significant associations were found with age at injury (P < .0001), sex (P = .0028), and preinjury problematic substance use (P = .0092). Marital stability over the 10-year period was higher for those who were older, were female, and had no problematic substance use history. Marital instability was greatest in the first year postinjury.
Conclusions:
Most married adults who received inpatient rehabilitation for TBI remained married to the same individual 10 years later. Those who were younger, were male, and had a history of problematic substance use were at a highest risk for relationship dissolution. Findings have implications for content, timing, and delivery of marital interventions. Substance use education and prevention appear to be important aspects of marital support.
