Child behavior problems, injury-related family burden, and
parent psychological distress were assessed longitudinally over
the first year post injury in 40 children with severe traumatic
brain injury (TBI), 52 with moderate TBI, and 55 with orthopedic
injuries not involving brain insult. Parents rated children's
preinjury behavior soon after injury. Postinjury child behavior
and family outcomes were assessed at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
Findings from path analysis revealed both direct and indirect
effects of TBI on child behavior and family outcomes, as well
as cross-lagged child-family associations. Higher parent distress
at 6 months predicted more child behavior problems at 12 months,
controlling for earlier behavior problems; and more behavior
problems at 6 months predicted poorer family outcomes at 12
months, controlling for earlier family outcomes. Support for
bidirectional influences is tentative given that limited sample
size precluded use of structural equation modeling. The findings
nevertheless provide impetus for considering the influences
of person-environment interactions on outcomes of TBI.
(JINS, 2001, 7, 755–767.)