Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how the functioning of family members and the coping
styles they use are related to the psychosocial functioning both of the family
members and of the person who has sustained a brain injury. DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Primary caregivers (n = 61) and other family
members (n = 15) of 61 patients with brain injury. METHODS: Primary caregivers
completed the Utrecht Coping List, the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire 9, and the
Caregiver Strain Index. All family members completed the Family Assessment
Device. Data for the patients were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Primary
caregivers who had a preference for passive coping styles reported that they
experienced a lower level of family functioning, a lower quality of life, and a
higher strain. Neither the coping styles nor the psychosocial outcomes of the
primary caregivers were significantly associated with patients' self-reported
quality of life. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the level of
family functioning and a patient's quality of life. CONCLUSION: Coping styles of
caregivers are important determinants for their own psychosocial functioning, but
not for patients' psychosocial functioning, although causality cannot be
inferred. To enhance caregivers' psychosocial functioning, rehabilitation should
focus on changing their coping styles into ones that are less passive.
Furthermore, distinct or additional interventions may be needed to change the
patient's coping style.

Langue : ANGLAIS