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Caregiver Resilience Through the First 2 Years After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems
Daniel W Klyce1, Jennifer H Marwitz2, Robert A Perera3
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; Psychology Service, Sheltering Arms Institute, Richmond, VA; Mental Health Service, Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|January 30, 2025
Summary
Caregiver resilience remained stable 2 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Meeting caregivers' emotional needs and lower burden positively impacted resilience, while distress negatively affected it.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Caregiver resilience is crucial following traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Understanding factors influencing caregiver resilience over time is essential for support.
- Longitudinal studies on caregiver resilience post-TBI are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track caregiver resilience trajectories up to 2 years after moderate-to-severe TBI.
- To identify caregiver outcomes linked to resilience.
- To analyze how caregiver and care-recipient factors influence resilience over time.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 258 caregiver-care recipient dyads.
- Data collected at 6, 12, and 24 months post-TBI.
- Measures included resilience (CD-RISC-10), burden (ZBI), distress (PHQ-9, GAD-7), and needs met (FNQ-R).
Main Results:
- Caregiver resilience demonstrated a stable trajectory over 2 years post-TBI.
- Higher resilience correlated with met caregiver needs (especially emotional needs).
- Increased caregiver burden and emotional distress (PHQ-9) were negatively associated with resilience.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver resilience post-TBI is generally stable but influenced by perceived needs and distress.
- Meeting caregiver needs, particularly emotional support, is vital for maintaining resilience.
- Interventions to enhance resilience and support caregivers are warranted.
