The psychological adjustment of family members of children with ABI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The psychological adjustment of siblings and parents of children with acquired brain injury and the role of perceived social support
IRAS ID
149803
Contact name
Sian Elin Hocking
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Research summary
It is thought that around 40,000 children in the U.K. experience a brain injury every year,which can be caused by a traumatic (e.g. road traffic accident) and non-traumatic events (e.g. stroke). Acquired brain injury(ABI)can lead to an array of long term physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties for the brain injured child, which can place a great deal of stress on the child's family.Current research suggests that families of children with brain injury experience difficulties in relationships and their functioning as a whole, and research findings have indicated that families may have impaired coping resources.
The focus of this research will be on the experience of siblings and parents of children with ABI, both groups have been under-researched within the existing paediatric neuropsychology literature. Existing research has indicated that siblings are at risk of developing emotional disturbances, school problems and aggressive personality changes following brain injury. Likewise, parents are at risk of emotional difficulties, with research demonstrating the increase of marital conflict, financial strain and changes to roles and responsibilities that may arise as a result of the brain injury.
The study aims to explore the experiences of siblings and parents of children with ABI with particular focus on their experience of psychological adjustment following the brain injury. Research in the chronic illness and learning disability fields have demonstrated how social support can aid psychological adjustment and coping; the study will be interested to explore this with siblings and parents of children with ABI.
Individual interviews will be conducted with adolescent siblings or parents of children with ABI. Findings from this research will have the potential to influence the development of evidence- based interventions for children and adolescents who have survived ABI, as well as to guide future research initiatives.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1004
Date of REC Opinion
1 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion