The impact of traumatic brain injury on family members living with patients: a preliminary study in Japan and the UK

Purpose: To ascertain the views of families living with TBI patients about the nature of the problems experienced as a result of TBI, and to compare the views of Japanese family members (J-FM) and British family members (B-FM) in order to find out whether there were cultural differences in family re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Disability and rehabilitation 2001-06, Vol.23 (9), p.370-378
Main Author: Watanabe, Agnes Shiel, D. Lindsay McLellan, Masaki Kurihara, Kentaro Hayashi, Yuriko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Brain Injuries - rehabilitation
Caregivers - psychology
Cross-Cultural Comparison
Female
Health Services Needs and Demand
Home Nursing - psychology
Humans
Japan
Male
Middle Aged
Needs Assessment
Nuclear Family - psychology
Social Support
Stress, Psychological
United Kingdom
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Summary:Purpose: To ascertain the views of families living with TBI patients about the nature of the problems experienced as a result of TBI, and to compare the views of Japanese family members (J-FM) and British family members (B-FM) in order to find out whether there were cultural differences in family response to TBI. Methods: Family members involved in providing care were identified by the patients. Face to face interviews were conducted with all 18 carers in B-FM and four carers in J-FM. The remaining eight carers in J-FM participated in the postal questionnaire. Questionnaires were developed to explore the nature of problems and the involvement of family such as social embarrassment. Results: Problems arising in families were almost the same reported from both groups. However families in B-FM were likely to know more about how to cope with these problems. Family members in J-FM reported more statistically significant increases in social embarrassment than those in B-FM. Conclusion: The preliminary results showed that family members living with TBI patients in both groups had experienced problems. Appropriate rehabilitation services should be developed to help families as well as TBI patients in Japan.
ISSN:0963-8288
1464-5165
DOI:10.1080/09638280010006647