M A McMahon1, R B Noll, L J Michaud, J C Johnson. 1. Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. mcmamo@chmcc.org
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess depressive symptoms, self-concept, and behavior in non-affected siblings of children with severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with case controls. SETTING: Children's hospital tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve siblings of children consecutively admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after a severe TBI. Case controls were randomly selected from the sibling's classmates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Teacher's Report Form of the CBCL (TRF-CBCL), the Self-Perception Profile for Children and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). RESULTS: No statistical differences were found in depressive symptoms, self-concept, or behavior between the siblings and their classmates 3 to 18 months after injury. Poorer functional outcomes in the child with a TBI were found to correlate significantly with lower self-concept and more symptoms of depression in the siblings. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to evaluate the potential impact on sibling adjustment after pediatric TBI.
OBJECTIVE: To assess depressive symptoms, self-concept, and behavior in non-affected siblings of children with severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with case controls. SETTING:Children's hospital tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve siblings of children consecutively admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after a severe TBI. Case controls were randomly selected from the sibling's classmates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Teacher's Report Form of the CBCL (TRF-CBCL), the Self-Perception Profile for Children and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). RESULTS: No statistical differences were found in depressive symptoms, self-concept, or behavior between the siblings and their classmates 3 to 18 months after injury. Poorer functional outcomes in the child with a TBI were found to correlate significantly with lower self-concept and more symptoms of depression in the siblings. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to evaluate the potential impact on sibling adjustment after pediatric TBI.