Due to the chronic nature of cognitive and behavioral problems related to TBI, parents and other family caregivers need information, resources, and training in evidence-based strategies to manage the varied and changing concerns following their child's injury. Recent research provides evidence that theory-driven, self-directed online parent training is effective in improving both child and parent outcomes.~The objective of this project is to produce the Traumatic Brain Injury Positive Strategies (TIPS) program, a comprehensive educational and training resource to help families improve their knowledge and skills to address cognitive, behavioral, and social challenges following pediatric TBI. The TIPS program will be grounded in the theory of planned behavior, which postulates that training in problem-solving leads to improved skills and increases in perceived behavioral control that mediate direct changes in parenting behaviors and indirect changes in child outcomes. The web-based product will include: (a) the Training Center, which will provide training in a range of evidence-based strategies within a problem-solving framework; and (b) the TBI Resource Center, an extensive library of educational materials, information, and resources about childhood TBI.~Approximately 216 family members will participate in the evaluation phase of this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (a) treatment (TIPS program ) or (b) control (brain injury website).
This study evaluates the effectiveness of The Traumatic Brain Injury Positive Strategies (TIPS) program, a comprehensive educational and training resource to help families improve their knowledge and skills in supporting a child with TBI experiencing cognitive, behavioral, and social challenges. The application provides training in evidence-based support strategies with the goal of improving outcomes for children with TBI and their families. Half the participants will receive access to the TIPS program, while the other half will receive access to a different TBI related website.