RELATIVES PERCEPTIONS OF ROLE CHANGE, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND STRESS AFTERTRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

There is general agreement between researchers and clinicians alike th at relatives of people with head injuries experience heightened stress as a result of the injury and its consequences. In the present study a single structured interview, including both verbally administered an d written response questionnaires, was completed by 1.8 parents and 11 partners. Measures included the Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scale, the Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule and questions regarding role change and health problems. The combined parents and partners group i ndicated that they experienced moderate levels of stress and role chan ge. A relatively small proportion of participants reported experiencin g health problems. Partners indicated a slightly higher degree of stre ss and a greater degree of role change than parents, and a larger prop ortion of partners indicated the presence of health problems. Qualitat ive differences between the two groups were found in terms of sources of stress. There was little quantitative or qualitative difference bet ween the two groups in sources, utilization of and satisfaction with s ocial support. Positive correlations were found between stress and rol e change and stress and health problems.