Characteristics and Health Outcomes of Post-9/11 Caregivers of US Service Members and Veterans Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVES

To (a) characterize a sample of post-9/11 caregivers providing help to service members and veterans (SMV) following traumatic brain injury (TBI), (b) examine the level of support provided, and (c) determine caregiver health and well-being outcomes.

SETTING

Military treatment facility.

PARTICIPANTS

Caregivers (N = 278) of SMVs who sustained a mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI (96.0% female; 86.0% spouse/partner; age: M = 38.7 years, SD = 10.4). Participants were divided into 3 groups on the basis of the level of support provided (low, medium, high).

DESIGN

Prospective observational.

MAIN MEASURES: Caregiver Appraisal Scale, SF-36v2 Health Survey, Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4, Caregiver Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The majority of caregivers were helping an SMV with mild TBI and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder/depression, who was injured in a blast-related incident during combat. Caregivers helped predominantly with activities of daily living and/or instrumental activities of daily living and spent more than 40 hours per week providing care. High-support caregivers were more likely to be caring for an SMV with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder, report poor physical and mental health outcomes, and have a negative impact on employment and finances.

CONCLUSIONS

A better understanding of protective factors is required to ensure that burden of care does not exceed the caregiver's health and financial capacity, or undermine the care, well-being, and recovery of the SMV.