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Family function and its relationship to injury severity and psychiatric outcome in children with acquired brain injury: a systematized review
Author(s) -
Lax Pericall Maria Teresa,
Taylor Eric
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12237
Subject(s) - clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , psychology , rehabilitation , physical therapy
Aim The psychological and psychiatric outcome of children with acquired brain injury is influenced by many variables. A review was undertaken to clarify the contribution of family function, how it relates to injury severity, and what particular aspects of family function influence psychological outcome in this group. Method A systematized review of the literature of studies published between 1970 and 2012 from O vid M edline, P sychoInfo, P syc ARTICLES , and C ochrane was undertaken focusing on family function, injury severity, and psychiatric outcome. Results Thirty‐six papers met the inclusion criteria. Injury severity was linked to the development of organic personality change. Family function before injury, measured by the F amily A ssessment D evice or the C linical R ating S cale, had a statistically significant effect on general psychological functioning in six out of eight studies. Family function had a significant effect for oppositional defiant disorder and secondary attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder. The effects of family function may differ depending on the age of the child and the severity of the injury. Some styles of parenting moderated recovery. After injury, family function was related to the child's contemporaneous psychiatric symptoms. The level of evidence for these papers was 3 or 4 ( O xford C entre for E vidence‐based M edicine criteria). Interpretation Screening for some aspects of family functioning before injury and family function during the rehabilitation phase may identify children at risk of psychiatric disorders.