A Predictive Model of Resilience Among Family Caregivers Supporting Relatives with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Australia: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Abstract

Objectives: Developing a comprehensive understanding of resilience in family caregivers supporting relatives with TBI is important for mental health promotion, yet resilience has been vastly understudied compared to deficits and vulnerability based research. In response a paradigm shift into family research is underway in the field of rehabilitation, with a new emphasis on investigating positive adaption rather than psychological vulnerability among family caregivers of people with TBI. In the current study, a model based on previous empirical research and resilience theory was devised to examine the predictive and mediating relationships among caregiver resilience, personality, coping, self – efficacy, hope, social support and the outcome variables of caregiver burden and psychological adjustment among family members caring for relatives with TBI.