Similarities and differences in caregiver adaptation: Focus on mental illness and brain injury.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore potential differences among three groups of caregivers with a relative who had experienced a mental ill This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal ness or a head injury. Guiding questions included the following: 1) what dif ferences exist between the groups differing primarily on type of disability, and 2) what differences exist between the groups differing primarily on membership in a family support group? SIMILARITIES BETWEEN MENTALLY ILL AND BRAIN INJURED PATIENTSOverall, patients with mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, and brain injured patients share many similar characteristics. Decreased ability to obtain and sustain employment, threatening behavior, apathy, mood swings, lack of spontaneity, cognitive impairment, increased dependency, and bizarre behaviors are a few of the sequel common to both mental illness and brain injury. Both patient groups appear to experience a loss in emotional control (Brooks, 1984; Lefley, 1987; Lezak, 1988) and to be hypersensitive to stress in their environment (Falloon et al., 1985; Lewis &c Rosenburg, 1990; Thomsen, 1974). Both types of patients think, feel, and behave differ ently from the past following the onset of their illness or injury.The average age of onset of schizophrenia and closed head injury is roughly equivalent (late adolescence through early adulthood) (Stavros, 1987; Torrey, 1988). Due to the similar age of onset, the families of patients in both groups are likely to be at roughly the same family developmental stage. At the time of illness or injury onset, parents are likely to be in the middle or later stages of a career and siblings are more likely to be indepen dent adults or adolescents than young children.

Family support group in psychosocial rehabilitation

“…For example, family members with a higher level of education are likely to join support groups. This finding is consistent with those reported by other authors 7–9. Although none of these studies found differences between groups in terms of relationship with the disabled relative, our results suggest that more parents join support groups than siblings, spouses or adult children.…”

The Experience of Fathers of Adult Children With Schizophrenia

“…When compared with the ® ndings of previous research on other caregiving situations, this time lag seems to be a unique feature of parental caregiving for persons with schizophrenia. For example, research about caregiving in traumatic head injury that resulted in mental impairment has suggested that caregivers are likely to hear about the diagnosis and prognosis immediately or soon after the accident (Brady et al, 1994;Grant & Bean, 1992;Hall et al, 1994). Also, the model of transformed parenting proposed by Seideman and Kleine (1995) that was based on research with parents of children with developmental delay and mental retardation indicated that ª Parents described rapid movement through an entrance process that included their initial response to hearing the child' s diagnosisº (Seideman & Kleine, 1995, p. 44).…”

“…Characteristics of caregiving for adult children with traumatic brain injury are similar to those of caring for adult children with mental disorders (Brady, Goldman, & Wandersman, 1994). In both situations children making transitions to adulthood experience biopsychosocial impairments that limitself-care and independent living skills.…”

“…The traumatic illness life event generally occurs during similar family developmental stages when parents normally anticipate that adult children will become independent and care for themselves. For example, Brady et al (1994) investigated potential differences among three groups of caregivers. One group had relatives with head injury, generally resulting from motor vehicle crashes (85%), and two groups had relatives with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.…”

Intensive‐invisible mothering: The experiences of mothers of adult children with dual diagnosis

“…A vast body of literature has demonstrated that mental illness and drug addiction are physically, economically, and mentally damaging not only to the individuals who experience these disorders, but also their significant others (Orford et al, ; Weisman de Mamani & Suro, ; Wilkinson & McAndrew, ). These consequences are referred to in the literature as objective and subjective burdens (Biegel et al, ; Brady et al, ). The objective burden is the tangible effect of caregiving on the life of caregivers, associated with their close contact with an individual with mental problems (e.g.…”