The Impact of the Different Disabilities Arising from Head Injury on the Primary Caregiver

One of the major challenges of coping with head injury is that people are often unprepared for, and unaware of, the potentially harsh reality that can have an impact on the family. This study was carried out to examine the association between motor, cognitive, behavioural, perceptual, and speech and language disabilities and the levels of stress and strain on the carers.

Two scales were used to measure stress and strain. The results showed that, in this group (n = 70), behavioural disabilities were most strongly associated with the carers' self-concepts, such as self-esteem and feelings of competence. Motor and cognitive disabilities were associated with strain on roles and activities outside the caregiving situation.

These results have implications for practice and service providers. They indicate that services and intervention strategies must place greater emphasis on addressing the possible impact of behavioural disabilities on the carer's self-concept and that respite services should be available to allow the carer time to fulfil other roles and responsibilities that are neglected due to cognitive and motor disabilities.