Research: Family Coping after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a potentially devastating occurrence impacting not only the life of the injured child, but also the family. The CDC estimates 1.365 million emergency department visits related to TBI with over half a million in children 0–14 years of age. While most TBI's are not life-threatening and often have no lasting sequelae, those that are more severe or repetitive have lasting consequences, for both the child and the family. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of families after pediatric TBI and their perceptions of what helped them cope and adapt. Specific aims are to explore: 1) the demands placed on a family after pediatric TBI; and 2) the resources, both internal and external, the family uses to cope with life after pediatric TBI; and 3)) describe how the family adapts to life after their child's TBI. Methods: This focused, ethnographic study used purposive sampling to recruit families at the trauma clinic in a large, freestanding pediatric hospital. Inclusion and exclusion criteria consisted of families with: 1) a child admitted to PICU with accidental TBI; 2) injury occurred at least 6 months prior to interview; and 1) the child had no pre-injury neurological condition. Families completed a brief demographic form and participated in a semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Additional information gleaned from participant observation and transcribed field notes assisted in data analysis. Results: Data collection and analysis is expected to be complete in September 2014. Themes emerging from the data include 1) protecting myself; 2) reconciling; 3) forever changing and 3) managing. Conclusion/Implications: The results from this study will serve as the foundation for a long-term program of research develop interventions tailored to the unique coping styles of the family after pediatric TBI. View a PDF of this poster presentation at http://www.pedsnurses.org/d/do/890. PEOPLE'S CHOICE POSTER AWARD WINNERS Day 1 Evidence-based Practice