July 6, 2021 - Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), has a significant impact on the lives and families of patients and their families. However, it does not necessarily increase marital instability. Two-thirds of TBI patients are still married to their same partner 10 years after the injury. This is according to a study published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation (JHTR) July/August issue. JHTR, the official journal of Brain Injury Association of America is published by Wolters Kluwer in the Lippincott portfolio.According to new research by Flora M. Hammond (MD, Indiana University School of Medicine), and her colleagues, divorce is most common in marriages that end within the first year following a TBI. The researchers wrote that their data "dispel myths about divorce risk after TBI and suggest an encouraging message of hope."These findings may be helpful in determining the risk of TBI and deciding when to intervene in marital affairs.Dr. Hammond and his colleagues analysed long-term follow up data on 1,423 patients suffering from TBI. All of them were married at the time of their injury. The Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS), which includes patients with TBI, was used to draw the patients. The average age of the patients at the time of injury is 44 years. About three-quarters of them were men.Sixty-six percent of TBI patients remained married to their same spouse ten years later. The majority of marriages that ended within five years of TBI occurred, with 68 percent ending within five years, and 39% within the first year.Study also examined factors that were associated with higher or lower divorce and separation risk. Researchers found that marital stability was more stable over a 10-year period for people who were older and female. Race/ethnicity, education and severity of injury didn't appear to affect the risk of a split.TBI patients with TBI have to be stable in their marriages. This is a big factor in their ability to live a normal life again and function normally. Some reports suggest that TBI can lead to high divorce rates. In previous studies, marital instability rates after TBI were varied from 22 to 85 percent. The new study has a major strength: it provides long-term follow up on a large number of patients with TBI.These results are in direct contradiction to previous studies that suggested a high divorce rate for patients who were married when they sustained a TBI. This study provides insight into marital risk factors after TBI. These findings support the bidirectional relationship between substance abuse and TBI. Dr. Hammond and his coauthors wrote that while substance use may not cause marital instability, spouses' perceptions of substance use as problematic can contribute to marital instability.Early education and support may be beneficial due to the high likelihood of marital breakdown within the first few years following TBI. Researchers note that their study has some limitations, including the inability to provide information about the marital relationship prior to TBI.Dr. Hammond and his colleagues believe that the findings could help identify couples at risk for marital instability following a TBI. They also can guide family and patient education, relationship counseling and other marital interventions. According to Dr. Hammond and colleagues, "Interventions that target substance abuse prevention and functional improvement could also be relevant for facilitating marital stability."###Click here to read about "Marital Stability over 10 Years After Traumatic Brain Injury."DOI: 10.1097/HTR.000000000674About the Journal of Head Trauma RehabilitationThe Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, a peer-reviewed journal that is an authoritative resource on rehabilitation and clinical management of traumatic brain injury patients, is a top-rated, leading resource. Six issues are published each year. They aim to promote "knowledge informing health" by publishing a variety of articles, commentary, and special features. It is the official journal of The Brain Injury Association of America.About the Brain Injury Association Of AmericaThe Brain Injury Association of America, the nation's largest and oldest brain injury advocacy group, is the Brain Injury Association of America. Our mission is to increase awareness, education, research, treatment, and education, and to improve quality of life for everyone affected by brain injury. We advocate for millions of brain injured people, their families, and the professionals who help them.Wolters KluwerWolters Kluwer is a leader in professional information and software solutions. We provide services for clinicians, nurses and accountants as well as tax, finance and audit. Our expert solutions combine domain knowledge and advanced technology to help customers make crucial decisions every day.Wolters Kluwer had a 2020 revenue of 4.6 billion. The company serves customers in more than 180 countries and has operations in more than 40 countries. It employs around 19,200 people in all over the world. The company's headquarters is in Alphen aan den Rijn (the Netherlands).Wolters Kluwer offers trusted clinical technology and evidence-based options that help clinicians, students, researchers, and patients in making informed decisions and achieving the best outcomes for healthcare. We provide data solutions and support clinical effectiveness, compliance, learning and research as well as clinical surveillance and compliance. Visit https:/// /www. for more information on our solutions. Wolterskluwer.com provides more information about our solutions. www.wolterskluwer.com/ en/ Health. Follow us on LinkedIn @WKHealth.
