The relationship of caregiver coping to family outcomes during the initialyear following pediatric traumatic injury

This study identified coping strategies associated with caregiver outcomes following pediatric injury and examined injury type as a moderator of copin g efficacy. Families of 103 children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 71 children with orthopedic injuries were followed prospectively during the initial year postinjury. The groups had comparable preinjury characteristi cs and hospitalization experiences but differed on neurological insult. In hierarchical regression analyses, acceptance was associated with lower burd en and denial was associated with greater distress in both groups. Active c oping resulted in higher distress following TBI but not orthopedic injuries . Conversely. the use of humor was related to diminishing distress followin g TBI but unrelated to distress following orthopedic injuries. Results are discussed in terms of the implications for intervention following TBI.