https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Brickell2022

Brickell, T. A., French, L. M., Wright, M. M., & Lange, R. T. (2022). Aggression in military members with mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with intimate partner health-related quality of life. Women's Health Issues, 32(5), 526-533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2022.04.003

This study examined whether verbal and physical aggression exhibited by Service members/Veterans (SM/Vs) with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated with their intimate partner caregiver’s quality of life (i.e., physical, mental, and social wellbeing). 201 women caregivers reported on the severity of their SM/V’s aggression (i.e., none/very mild, mild, or moderate/severe) as well as 16 aspects of the caregiver’s quality of life (e.g., caregiver vigilance, caregiver anxiety, ability to participate in social roles and activities) and caregiver strain (i.e., stress related to caregiving role). Generally, caregivers who reported more severe aggression in their SM/Vs also reported a poorer quality of life compared to caregivers who reported less severe aggression in their SM/V.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2022.04.003

Couples
Trauma
Mental health

Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Multiple branches

Veteran
Active Duty

Spouse of service member or veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Quantitative Study
Cross sectional study

Brickell, Tracey A., French, Louis M., Wright, Megan M., Lange, Rael T.

Objective We aimed to examine the relationship between service member/veteran (SMV) aggression and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in their intimate partners. Methods This prospective cohort study included 201 female intimate partner caregivers of post-9/11 male SMVs with a diagnosis of uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder from a military treatment facility. Caregivers completed 17 HRQOL measures and rated the level the SMV experiences problems with verbal or physical expressions of irritability, anger, or aggression on the Mayo–Portland Adaptability Inventory, 4th edition. Caregivers were classified into three SMV Aggression groups: i) none or very mild (n = 53); ii) mild (n = 47); and iii) moderate or severe (n = 101). HRQOL scores were classified as clinically elevated using a cutoff of 60T or higher. Results Using χ2 analysis, the moderate or severe group had a significantly higher proportion of clinically elevated scores on 15 HRQOL measures compared with the none or very mild group, and six measures compared with the mild group. The mild group had higher scores on two measures compared with the none or very mild group. Using analysis of covariance (and controlling for caregiver strain), the moderate or severe group had significantly higher scores on 11 HRQOL measures compared with the none or very mild group, and two measures compared with the mild group. The mild group had higher scores on five measures compared with the none or very mild group. Conclusions Many caregivers who report moderate to severe SMV aggression after a traumatic brain injury, report poor HRQOL beyond the strain of care provision. Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder programs should screen for and treat SMV aggression, and attend to the health needs of their caregivers.

Elseiver

Article
REACH Publication

Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, TAB
Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, LMF
Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, MMW
Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, RTL
Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, TAB
Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, LMF
Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, MMW
Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, RTL
F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, TAB
F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, LMF
Department of Research, General Dynamics Information Technology, TAB
Department of Research, General Dynamics Information Technology, MMW
Department of Research, General Dynamics Information Technology, RTL
Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, RTL