Balancing act: The influence of adaptability and cohesion on satisfaction and communication in families facing TBI in Mexico

Issue title: Spanish Speakers with Neurological and Psychiatric Disabilities: Relevant Factors Related to Rehabilitation

Guest editors: Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lehan, Tara J.^{a; *} | Stevens, Lillian Flores^b | Arango-Lasprilla, Juan Carlos^b | Díaz Sosa, Dulce María^c | Espinosa Jove, Irma Guadalupe^d

Affiliations: [a] Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, AZ, USA | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA | [c] Department of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México | [d] Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación de México, México City, México | Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Tara J. Lehan, Ph.D., Research Specialist, P.O. Box 4503, Richmond, VA 23220, USA. Tel.: +1 804 828 3661; Fax: +1 804 827 0663; E-mail: tlehan@ncu.edu

Abstract: Much of what is known about family functioning in the face of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is based on research conducted in the United States. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the levels of family adaptability, cohesion, communication, and satisfaction as reported by Mexican TBI survivors and their family caregivers, (2) test the hypothesis of the Circumplex Model that balanced families would exhibit better communication and greater satisfaction, and (3) explore how TBI survivors' and their family caregivers' perceptions of family adaptability and cohesion influenced their own and the other's perceptions of family communication and satisfaction. In the majority of dyads, both the TBI survivor and the family caregiver endorsed balanced family adaptability and cohesion. Both TBI survivors and their family caregivers reported a relatively high level of family communication and satisfaction. TBI survivors and family caregivers who reported greater levels of family adaptability and cohesion also endorsed better family communication and greater family satisfaction. In addition, individuals with TBI whose family caregiver endorsed balanced family adaptability and cohesion reported better family communication. Further, family caregivers of TBI survivors who reported balanced family adaptability and cohesion reported better family communication. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Keywords: Brain injury, family structure, family functioning, FACES IV, adaptability, cohesion

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-2012-0729

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 75-86, 2012