T7: State-of-the-Science Conference on Community Integration for Persons with TBI
Roundtable Discussion - April 12, 2007
Topic Area: Parenting
Facilitators: Mary Hibbard, Ph.D. and Margaret Struchen, Ph.D. with input
from Megan Kirshbaum, Ph.D. who was not able to be present
Recorder: Allison Clark, Ph.D.
- What research should be addressed in the future to further
the field and address the most relevant gaps in our knowledge? What models/methods
should be utilized?
- There has been very little research on parenting following TBI. There
is a need for increased assessment of parenting following TBI, including
parental roles, communication, coping skills, and effectiveness.
- There is a need for assessment of the pre-injury environment (e.g.,
how much parenting each person did before the injury; parental roles;
status and coping of the child/children; coping of spouse), and the impact
of pre-injury parenting on post-injury parenting.
- There is a need to assess how post-injury cognitive and behavioral
changes impact parenting (e.g., how does executive dysfunction impact
parenting?).
- Long-term outcome studies are needed for community integration
in general, and parenting specifically, using prospective, multi-center
studies with participants from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Assessments should include quantitative and qualitative information
obtained from both parents and children, with attention to both family
and parenting strengths and weaknesses. Parenting is done within the family
system, so assessment of family environment and sibling interactions may
also be beneficial.
- Given the high rates of divorce, there is a need for research
on the impact of TBI on single parents, how the dissolution of a marriage
can impact parenting, and how TBI can affect custodial issues. It is also
important to look at families that are functioning well post-injury to
help identify factors that can promote adaptability.
- Additional research needs identified included:
- How comprehensive assessments may lead to future interventions that
could potentially incorporate community-based supports, role modeling,
and peer mentoring and support.
- The need for parenting to be recognized as an activity of daily living
so parents with disabilities can receive assistance/aid as needed
- What collaborations could be fostered to address this
topic area?
- National Resource Center for Parents with Disabilities
- Community and faith-based programs
