Caring for a service member or Veteran following traumatic brain injury influences caregiver mental health

ABSTRACT

This study examined factors related to poor mental health in caregivers assisting service members and Veterans (SMV) following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants were 201 military caregivers (96.0% female; Age: M = 39.2 years, SD = 10.2) of SMVs following a mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI. The SF-36v2 Health Survey, Caregiver Appraisal Scale, Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4, and Caregiver Questionnaire were completed. Caregivers were divided into two mental health groups: Poor Mental Health (n = 108) and Good Mental Health (n = 93). Factors related to poor caregiver mental health were worse general health and stress appraisal, less personal time, unmet needs, and greater financial and employment strain. Factors also related to poor caregiver mental health included assisting a SMV who had sustained a mild TBI, did not have significant hospital care, had post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and/or anxiety, was experiencing greater functional disability, and was experiencing physical expressions of irritability, anger, and aggression (all p’s<.05; d =.29 to d =.64; OR = 1.911 to OR = 4.984). For many military caregivers, poor mental health may be related to the SMVs ongoing comorbid mental health symptoms and less so neurological impairment related to the brain injury. TBI treatment programs require a holistic approach that addresses the behavioral health concerns of both SMVs and their caregivers.

KEYWORDS:

• Caregiver
• service Member Veteran
• military
• traumatic Brain Injury
• post-Traumatic Stress

Acknowledgments

Portions of these data were presented at the National Academy of Neuropsychology conference, San Diego, California: November 2019. The authors would like to express gratitude to the military caregivers for their time and commitment each year to participating in the study. We also thank the community organizations who offer their time and services to publicize the studies to the caregiver and military communities. The authors would like to acknowledge the efforts of the larger team of managers, coordinators, associates, and assistants who contribute to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBC) 15-Year Longitudinal TBI Study.

Declaration

The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Defense Health Agency, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other US government agency. The authors have no conflicts.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center [NA].