Sources of stress in family members following head or spinal cord injury

Abstract

Sources of stress and perceptions of patients' psychosocial adjustment were comparatively examined in the family members of patients who had sustained moderate to severe closed head injury (CHI) or spinal cord injury (SCI). The family members of the patients with CHI reported significantly greater stress in relation to lack of social support, overcommitment, and difficult personality characteristics of the patient. Physical incapacitation of the patient was the principal source of stress that significantly differentiated the family members of the patients with SCI. Family members' perceptions of patients' psychosocial adjustment, as assessed across a broad range of dimensions that included the domestic and social environments, did not differ significantly between the groups. In both groups, the level of personal psychological distress reported by the family members was the most significant and consistent correlate of their perceived stress and perceptions of patients' psychosocial adjustment. The results are discussed In terms of the need to expand the traditional scope of rehabilitative efforts following head and spinal cord injury to directly address family-related issues.

Does spirituality facilitate adjustment and resilience among individuals and families after SCI?

“…Disabil Rehabil, Early Online: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] faith [16], meaning making [37,38], purpose in life [39], sense of coherence [40], post-traumatic growth [41] and hope [42]. These constructs, outlined below, were included in this scoping review due to their close relationship with spirituality.…”

“…Disabil Rehabil, Early Online: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] paper, particularly the relationship between resilience and spirituality. As this study only considered individuals with SCI undergoing initial rehabilitation, no family or systemic perspective was provided.…”

“…Poor physical health has also been observed among family members [3], who in some instances provide care on a daily basis. Physical changes and care requirements often lead to vocational and financial changes, which can impact upon the whole family [4,5]. In addition to physical and social challenges, and often as a direct result of them, reported psychological consequences of SCI include feelings of grief and loss, isolation, depression, anxiety and despair for all affected [2,3,[5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

A study of burden of care and its correlates among family members supporting relatives and loved ones with traumatic spinal cord injuries

“…16 Consequently, this new stressful role combined with the lack of a specific training is susceptible to cause them a negative impact. 7–14,16…”

“…[4][5][6] There is a high amount of scientific research describing the burden of caregivers and few studies have explored factors associated with positive outcomes. 4,5 The most commonly reported negative consequences suffered by these caregivers have been psychological distress, [7][8][9][10] psychosocial difficulties (e.g. loss of employment, reduction of working hours and/or income 11,12 ) impaired family functioning and reduced life satisfaction 13,14 .…”