Authors

  1. Vangel, Stephen J. Jr PhD
  2. Rapport, Lisa J. PhD
  3. Hanks, Robin A. PhD, ABPP (CN)

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the predictive value of caregiver/family status to well-being of persons with brain injury and toexamine whether perceived social support to caregivers moderates their well-being.

 

Participants: One hundred nine pairs ofadults, a caregiver, and an individual with TBI.

 

Main Measures: Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Satisfaction With LifeScale; Disability Rating Scale; Social Provision Scale, Family Assessment Device, and Disability Rating Scale.

 

Results: Canonical correlation indicated the presence of a relationship between well-being in TBI and caregiver participants. Two canonicalvariates accounted for 47.5% variance. Poor psychological well-being among persons with TBI was associated with poor caregiverperceived social support and poor familial behavioral control. Individuals with high disability also had caregivers with poorerpsychological well-being. In post hoc multiple regressions, caregiver/family psychosocial characteristics added unique prediction ofoutcome for individuals with TBI. Hierarchical multiple regressions provided evidence that social support of caregivers moderatesoutcome status for individuals with TBI.

 

Conclusions: Future research efforts should focus on understanding of the specificmechanisms of reciprocal effects, to help design future therapy.