Family Burden in Adolescents With Refractory Postconcussion Symptoms

The objective of this study was to determine whether preinjury/demographic factors, injury characteristics, and/or worse postinjury symptoms are associated with higher levels of family stress in youth with refractory postconcussion symptoms. Setting: Pediatric refractory concussion clinic in a tertiary care center. Participants: A total of 121 adolescents (13-18 years old) who were 1 to 12 months postconcussion. Measures: Primary outcome was the mean stress rating on the Family Burden of Injury Interview (FBII), a 27-item questionnaire rating the impact on a family as a result of an injury. Preinjury/demographic and injury details were collected. Youth and their parents also completed measures of postconcussion symptoms, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. Results: Participants had a mean age of 16.0 years (SD = 1.3), of which, 65% identified as female, and were on an average 5.2 months (SD = 2.4) postconcussion. FBII ratings were not significantly correlated with demographics, preinjury functioning, injury severity, duration of persistent postconcussion problems (ie, time since injury), or self-reported postconcussion symptoms. Greater family burden (higher FBII ratings) significantly correlated with worse parent-reported postconcussion symptoms, worse psychological functioning (self-reported depression, parent-reported anxiety, and depression), and worse behavioral functioning (parent-reported conduct problems and peer problems). A mult...
Source: The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation - Category: Neurology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research