Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation: Predicting outcomes from staff and family relationships

The study examined the relationship between families and staff during subacute rehabilitation of adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine if the quality of the relationships between staff and family could predict a significant proportion of variance in client functional outcomes. Traumatic brain injury survivors at three rehabilitation facilities in the Midwest were identified. Seventy-six clients fit the criterion for inclusion in the study. Data were collected on age at injury, severity of injury, time since injury, and time in treatment. Direct care staff completed ratings of clients\u27 family members, and family members were invited to rate rehabilitation staff. Instruments used in ratings of staff and families included an adapted version of the Counselor Rating Form (CRF), six items associated with professional-family relationships, and the Family Involvement Assessment Scale (FIAS). Outcome measures involved five domain scores on the Lifestyle Assessment Scale-Self Care, Social, Learning/Vocational, Arts/Leisure, and Emotional independent functioning. Of the fifteen regression analyses conducted, two were significant. Family ratings of staff accounted for a significant proportion of variance in clients\u27 Learning/Vocational outcomes. Staff ratings of families contributed significantly to the prediction of clients\u27 Emotional outcomes