NSW Brain Injury Rehabilitation Forum May 2011

 

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Building resilience among family members providing support to people with spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury: introducing a new program
DENISE YOUNG, Mid Western BIRS

 

Title: Building resilience among family members providing support to people with spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury: introducing a new program

Authors: Simpson Grahame1,2, Jones Kate1, Pfeiffer Daniella3, Unger Candies4, Oosthuizen Helens5 Francis Jackie6, Young Denise7

1Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Liverpool Hospital
2Rehabilitation Studies Unit, University of Sydney
3Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service, Westmead Hospital
4Spinal Outreach Service, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney
5Moorong, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney
6Spinallnjuries Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital
7MidWestern Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, Bathurst

This presentation will outline a new program that has been developed by social workers from seven rehabilitation services in Sydney, to build resilience among family members supporting relatives who have sustained a traumatic injury (TBI and SCI).

There is limited research into resilience among family members supporting relatives who have sustained a traumatic injury. Early studies in the field identified qualities associated with resilience. Later studies focused on the process of resilient adaptation to challenging life circumstances. Implicit in this research and the foundation of this program is the notion that resilience is a dynamic set of adaptive skills that anyone can acquire. Drawing upon material identified from a literature review, an empirical study and focus groups, the project working group developed a five session program called "Strength 2 Strength" (S2S) as well as an abbreviated five hour version which can be implemented as a one day workshop or telephone group.

Underpinning these sessions are a number of key components associated with building resilience including making meaning of the traumatic event; active coping; identifying personal strengths; developing a positive appraisal of challenging life circumstances; maintaining flexibility; remaining connected with social networks and mobilising resources.

The program includes didactic input, group activities, watching a DVD and therapeutic discussion. The program has been through extensive development and evaluated in a non randomised clinical control trial (TBI n= 36 ISCI n= 22). It offers an important complement to existing family support programs and enables social workers and other health professionals to incorporate this program into their clinical practice.