https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Brickell2021

Brickell, T. A., French, L. M., Sullivan, J. K., Varbedian, N. V., Wright, M. M., & Lange, R. T. (2022). Unhealthy family functioning is associated with health-related quality of life among military spouse caregivers. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 14(4), 587–596. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001055

Using a sample of 316 military spouses caring for a Service member or Veteran with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), this study compared the health-related quality of life among spouses who reported healthy family functioning (n = 162) and those who reported unhealthy family functioning (n = 154). More specifically, group differences were examined across several indicators of health-related quality of life, including caregiver functioning (e.g., anxiety, feelings of loss, anger, strain); attitudes about caregiving (e.g., perceived burden); benefits received from caregiving (e.g., positive view of oneself); life satisfaction; relationship satisfaction; and Service member or Veteran adjustment (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger). Compared to the healthy family functioning group, spouses in the unhealthy family functioning group generally reported poorer health-related quality of life.

https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001055

Veterans
Physical health
Mental health
Couples

Multiple branches

Veteran

Spouse of service member or veteran

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

Quantitative Study
Cross sectional study

Brickell, Tracey A., French, Louis M., Sullivan, Jamie K., Varbedian, Nicole V., Wright, Megan M., Lange, Rael T.

Objective: The current study examines health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and family functioning in a sample of spouse caregivers assisting post-9/11 service members and veterans (SMV) following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Method: Participants were 316 spouse (and partner) caregivers of SMVs following a mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI. Caregivers completed the Family Assessment Device General Functioning subscale, 24 HRQOL questionnaires, and the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (4th ed.; MPAI-4). The sample was divided into two family functioning groups: Healthy Family Functioning (HFF; n = 162) and Unhealthy Family Functioning (UFF; n = 154). Scores on HRQOL measures that generate T scores using normative data were classified as “clinically elevated,” using a cutoff of > 60T. Results: Compared with the HFF group, caregivers in the UFF group reported worse scores on all HRQOL measures and worse SMV functional ability on the MPAI-4 Adjustment Index and Anxiety, Depression, and Irritability/Anger/Aggression items (all psds = .41–1.36). A significantly higher proportion of the UFF group had clinically elevated HRQOL scores compared with the HFF group on the majority of measures (Hs = .24–.75). When examining all HRQOL measures simultaneously, the UFF group consistently had a significantly higher cumulative percentage of clinically elevated scores compared with the HFF group (e.g., ≥ 5 clinically elevated scores: UFF = 53.9% vs. HFF = 22.2%; H = .68). Conclusions: Caring for a SMV following TBI with comorbid mental health problems may have negative implications for their family functioning and the caregiver’s HRQOL. Family-centered interventions could be beneficial for military families experiencing distress following SMV TBI and mental health comorbidity.

American Psychological Association

Article
REACH Publication

Research Department, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, TAB
Research Department, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, LMF
Research Department, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, JKS
Research Department, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, NVV
Research Department, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, MMW
Research Department, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, RTL
Research Department, Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, TAB
Research Department, Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, RTL
Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, TAB
Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, LMF
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, RTL