Predictors of caregiver burden following traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: To investigate the relationship of demographic characteristics of the caregiver (i.e. race, age, household income, education) to caregiver burden, family needs, family functioning and social support to assess the predictors of caregiver burden. Research design: Information was obtained through mailed surveys and follow-up phone interviews. Methods and procedures: Participants were 24 African American and 21 White caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury who were at least 1-year post-injury. Measures administered included the Head Injury Family Interview, Family Needs Questionnaire, Family Assessment Device and the NON, a measure of social support. Main outcomes and results: Regression analyses revealed that importance of needs and percentage of needs met accounted for a significant amount of the variance in predicting affective/behavioural, cognitive and physical/dependency burden. Conclusions: Rehabilitation professionals need to provide support that includes ongoing assessment of needs and provides a resource for steering caregivers to potential sources for meeting those needs.