Caregiver resilience following traumatic brain injury: Findings at six months postinjury.

Abstract

Purpose/Objective: Examine contributors to resilience among caregivers of individuals who have sustained a moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), with the goal of identifying important targets for an intervention to improve caregiver resilience as well as outcomes for people with TBI. Research Method/Design: Participants were adult caregivers (n = 176) and individuals with TBI who required inpatient rehabilitation at six TBI Model System sites. Measures included the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale-10, Family Needs Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Data were collected between September 2018 and June 2021. Results: Caregivers endorsed levels of personal resilience that were comparable to norms for community samples and slightly higher than groups under stress or with medical illness. Reports of the burden associated with the caregiving role were relatively low, as was reported psychological distress. In a multivariable model, higher proportions of met emotional support needs were associated with increased resilience. Conclusions/Implications: Resilience may be strengthened by emotional support networks, including friends or family who may not already be directly involved in the provision of care. Supporting engagement with community agencies, peer mentors, or other informal resources within the family system that provide emotional support may bolster resilience outcomes for caregivers.