Effect of social support and coping styles on the stress and mental health in relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of social support and coping style on the stress and mental health in relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Methods: The stress, mental health, social support and coping style were investigated in 300 relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury by Relative Stress Scale, Symptom Checklist-90, Social Support Rating Scale and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire in Changsha City.

Results: The mental health problems in relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury were closely related to the levels of stress, the ways of coping and the social support. In addition to the direct eff ect of stress on mental health in relatives of patients, the ways of coping and social support functioned as a mediator in this regard. The value of mesomeric eff ect for coping styles and social support ranged from 23.6% to 43.0%, and social support had an advantage over the coping styles.

Conclusion: Social support and coping styles should be considered in psychological nursing program to prevent and adjust the mental distress in relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury, which is beneficial to the treatment and recovery for patients.