AbstractsPsychology

The purpose of this study was to gather qualitative and quantitative information about the post-injury outcomes of TBI survivors and their caregivers, with a specific focus on depression. Participants included 27 TBI survivors and 21 of their caregivers, with a substantial period of time having passed since the injury (M = 13.59 years). Survivors and caregivers were identified as dyads for data collection with the exception of 6 survivors, who could not identify a caregiver to participate. Participants completed a semi-structured interview about the effect of the TBI or caregiving role, as well as standardized questionnaires that measured aggression, family functioning, and depression. Mean scores on self-reported levels of depression were not elevated for either TBI survivors or caregivers. However, for both caregivers and survivors who reported elevated levels of depression, it was the burden of the affective/behavioral symptoms, rather than physical ones, that seemed to contribute to depression. For survivors, self-report of overall anger and hostility was related to their depression, whereas caregiver report of survivor aggression was not related to their depression. Responses to the semi-structured interviews included the following themes: an increase in emotionality of survivors post-injury (e.g. more anger and depression), changes in social interactions, and difficulty finding social support.