Burden among caregivers of service members and veterans following traumatic brain injury. (15th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brickell, Tracey A.; French, Louis M.; Lippa, Sara M.; Lange, Rael T.
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 32:Number 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1541
• Page End: 1548
• Publication Date: 2018-10-15
• Subjects: Caregiver -- burden -- service member veteran -- traumatic brain injury -- polytrauma -- post-traumatic stress; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1503328
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives : To determine the (a) health status and caregiving appraisal and (b) influence of perceived burden on health and appraisal in a sample of caregivers helping service member/veterans (SMVs) following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods : Participants were caregivers ( N = 283, female = 96.1%, 86.2% = spouse/partner) of SMVs who sustained a mild–severe or penetrating TBI. Participants completed the Caregiver Appraisal Scale (CAS) and the SF-36v2 Health Survey (SF-36v2). Participants were divided into three burden groups: high, neutral, and low. Results : Almost half the sample (48.8%) reported negative feelings on the CAS Perceived Burden scale. A substantial proportion had lower scores than a normative sample on four SF-36v2 physical health scales (35.1–64.5%) and four mental health scales (70.7–79.8%). A significant main effect was found across caregiver burden groups on three CAS scales ( p = 0.010 to p < 0.001), two SF-36v2 component scores (all p s < 0.001), and eight SF-36v2 scales ( p = 0.001 to p < 0.001). Caregivers with high perceived burden reported significantly worse scores, except CAS Caregiving Ideology. All CAS and SF-36v2 scales were significant predictors of CAS Perceived Burden scores (all p s< 0.001), with the SF-36v2 Social Functioning scale accounting for the most variance (32.6%). Conclusions : Health care and social services are needed for caregivers who help SMVs to foster resilience, wellness, and growth.