Self-Rated Health Among Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Close Relatives: The Role of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Objective

Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is accompanied by significant declines in self-rated health (SRH). Although such deteriorations in SRH are related to various consequences of sTBI, the effect of posttraumatic reactions (i.e., posttraumatic stress [PTS] symptoms) has been tested insufficiently to date, especially among civilians. The present investigation is based on Trajectories of Recovery After Severe Traumatic brain injury—Matters In families (TRAST-MI), a unique study among civilians with sTBI and their families. Previous research revealed that civilian sTBI has effects beyond the injured patient, influencing their close relatives as well. The aim of this study was to assess the association between PTS symptoms and SRH among patients with civilian sTBI and their close relatives.

Methods

Patients with sTBI (assessed by an Abbreviated Injury Scale of the head region score>3) and their close relatives participated in TRAST-MI. One hundred twenty-six patient-relative dyads were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after the injury.

Results

Multilevel modeling revealed that patients’ PTS symptoms were associated with consequent SRH (slope = 0.42; p

Source: Psychosomatic Medicine - June 1, 2021 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research