Evidence-Based Mental Health Services for Distressed Post-9/11 Military Family Caregivers
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common injury among armed forces deployed to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Symptoms of a TBI do not improve over time and are associated with negative mental health outcomes in family caregivers. We sought to determine the efficacy of (9-session) PST for positively impacting TBI family caregivers' burden levels and mental health quality of life (primary outcomes), as well as depression symptom levels (secondary outcome). Using a two-group (PST n = 85 vs. Usual Care or UC n= 64), randomized study design, outcomes were measured at baseline, one-, three-, six-, and12-months after PST training (or 12 to 14 weeks after baseline for caregivers in the UC group). Data was collected longitudinally on a sample of 149 family caregivers of post-9/11 combat veterans with a self-reported TBI. Data analysis showed a significant main effect for time, and a significant group by time interaction. Relative to caregivers randomized to UC, caregivers randomized to PST endorsed significant improvements in caregiving burden and depression levels. Caregivers in the PST group endorsed lower burden and depression scores one-month after problem-solving training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1135338
Entities
People
- Linda Garand
Organizations
- Duquesne University