Support program for parenting skills of parents with a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: an exploratory study
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) has permanent and disabling consequences, particularly on the cognitive level. Adolescents and young adults (15-24 years) are most likely to experience a TBI, whereas many of them are or will become parents. These people must assume their parenting role and responsibilities while dealing with the impacts of TBI on their daily functioning. As this parental role is potentially disrupted by the consequences of TBI, a support program for the development of parenting skills has been implemented to support parents who have suffered moderate to severe TBI from children ages 6 to 12 years. Parents’ perception of their parenting skills related to their participation in the support program was explored using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. The quantitative analyses do not show any effects of change among the parents, but the qualitative analysis indicates a more positive parental experience and the implementation of certain parenting practices suggested by the program. Limitations of the study are due to the weaknesses of the measuring instrument and the participants’ characteristics. Future research should focus on the inclusion of family members in such a support program and on its effectiveness on a larger scale. However, this project has explored the benefits of an innovative support program for parents who have suffered from TBI.