Publication Details
Simpson, G. K.,
Anderson, M. I.,
Daher, M.,
Jones, K. F.,
&
Morey, P.
(2021).
Testing a model of resilience in family members of relatives with traumatic brain injury vs spinal cord injury: Multigroup analysis.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 102 (12), 2325-2334.
Abstract
Objective: To test a model comprising explanatory (neurologic impairment, coping, personality) and mediating (resilience, self-efficacy, hope, social support) variables on psychological adjustment and burden among family caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) vs spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design: Structural equation modeling with multigroup analysis.
Setting: Six rehabilitation centers across New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.
Participants: A total of 181 family members (N=181; 131 TBI, 50 SCI). Interventions: Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, General SelfEfficacy Scale, Herth Hope Scale, Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey; and 4 measures of psychological adjustment including: Caregiver Burden Scale, Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36), General Health Questionnaire-28, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale.
Results: The model for the aggregated sample demonstrated a very good model fit (x2 =47.42, df=39, r=0.167, normed fit index=.962, incremental fit index=.993, Tucker-Lewis index=.985, comparative fit index=.993, root-mean-squared error of approximation=.035). Multi-group analysis found significant commonalities in the pattern of relationships among variables across the 2 groups. In the only differences found, neuroticism was significantly more influential on burden in family members supporting individuals with TBI than family members of individuals with SCI. Furthermore, problem-focused coping was statistically more influential on positive affect in family members of individuals with TBI when compared with family members of individuals with SCI.
Conclusions: The study found significant similarities in the patterns of resilience and psychological adjustment among family caregivers of individuals with TBI and SCI.
© 2021 The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords
brain injuries, traumatic, caregivers, emotional adjustment, rehabilitation, resilience, psychological, spinal cord injuries
