Family Forward: a social work clinical trial promoting family adaptation following paediatric acquired brain injury. (7th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hickey, Lyndal; Anderson, Vicki; Hearps, Stephen; Jordan, Brigid
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 32:Number 7(2018)
• Page Start: 867
• Page End: 878
• Publication Date: 2018-06-07
• Subjects: Family intervention -- adaptation -- social work -- paediatric rehabilitation -- clinical trial -- caregiver -- brain injury; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1466195
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : To test the efficacy of a family intervention Family Forward in promoting early adaptation following a child's acquired brain injury (ABI). Research design : Prospective, sequential comparison group design. Methods and procedures : Families of children ( n = 47) diagnosed with ABI received Family Forward ( n = 25): two family counselling sessions plus optional multi-family group session per week or Usual Care ( n = 22) during their child's inpatient rehabilitation admission. Family adaptation outcomes were measured using Family Assessment Device (FAD-GF) and Family Management Measure (FAMM). Relationships between family psychosocial risk, social work interventions, and family adaptation outcomes were explored. Main outcomes and results : The Family Forward group endured longer hospital admissions ( FF M = 56.4 days SD 46.1; p = 0.029 ), rehabilitation admissions ( FF M = 33.3 days SD 29.0; p = 0.019 ) and reported poorer functioning pre-intervention FAD-GF ( FF M = 1.626 SD = 0.391; UC M = 1.491 SD 0.394) than the Usual Care group. No significant difference in family adaptation outcomes (FAD-GF) were detected; this suggests that the Family Forward intervention played a protective role in preventing deterioration in family functioning. The Family Forward group achieved superior outcomes in managing their child's care at home (FAMM Child Management Ability scale p = 0.029 ) and greater parental satisfaction in focusing on their child's care (FAMM Parent Mutuality scale p = 0.04) post-intervention. Conclusion : The Family Forward intervention moderated for poorer initial family functioning to achieve positive family adaptation outcomes.