SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN CAREGIVER ADAPTATION - FOCUS ON MENTAL-ILLNESS AND BRAIN INJURY

Adaptation of three groups of family caregivers was compared: members of a support group for relatives of persons with brain injury, members of a support group for relatives of persons with mental illness, and nonmember relatives of persons with mental illness. Results suggest th at relatives of persons suffering severe cognitive, emotional, and beh avioral impairments adapt similarly, whether the cause is illness or i njury. Caregivers of mentally ill relatives who belong to a support gr oup expressed more feelings of guilt and stigma than either members of a head injury support group or nonmember caregivers of mentally ill r elatives. Implications are discussed.