Marital Stability Over 10 Years Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the stability of marriage from the time of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to 10 years postinjury.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

SETTING

TBI Model Systems centers.

PARTICIPANTS

In total, 1423 participants in the TBI Model Systems National Database who experienced TBI 10 years prior and were married at the time of injury.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Remaining married to the same partner from the time of injury to 10-year follow-up.

RESULTS

At 10 years, 66% (938) remained married to the same person. Significant associations were found with age at injury (P < .0001), sex (P = .0028), and preinjury problematic substance use (P = .0092). Marital stability over the 10-year period was higher for those who were older, were female, and had no problematic substance use history. Marital instability was greatest in the first year postinjury.

CONCLUSIONS

Most married adults who received inpatient rehabilitation for TBI remained married to the same individual 10 years later. Those who were younger, were male, and had a history of problematic substance use were at a highest risk for relationship dissolution. Findings have implications for content, timing, and delivery of marital interventions. Substance use education and prevention appear to be important aspects of marital support.