Multi-site, multi-country randomized clinical trial of an acute traumatic brain injury caregiver transition assistance program in Latin America.

Background: Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Latin America experience high levels of disability and extremely poor functional outcomes, and their informal caregivers play a key role in their rehabilitation and care.

Objective: To improve TBI rehabilitation through stronger informal caregiving, this study developed and evaluated an evidence-based and culturally appropriate Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for informal caregivers of individuals with TBI in Latin America, specifically targeting the time period before and after the transition from hospital to home.

Methods: A sample of 89 people with a new TBI and their primary informal caregiver (n = 178) was recruited from two hospitals in Mexico City, Mexico, and in Cali, Colombia.

A Multi-Site Study of Traumatic Brain Injury in Mexico and Colombia: Longitudinal Mediational and Cross-Lagged Models of Family Dynamics, Coping, and Health-Related Quality of Life.

Latin America has high rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI), yet reduced mental and physical health outcomes due to limited rehabilitation services. To understand the psychosocial adjustment process in TBI patients in Latin America, the incorporation of cultural values including family-based variables is imperative. The current study examined relations among healthy family dynamics, coping, and mental and physical health related quality of life (HRQL) among a sample of TBI patients across three sites and two countries over the first 4 months post-injury.

Relationship Satisfaction and Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model of Patients and Caregivers in Mexico and Colombia.

Objective: Traumatic brain injury represents a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like in Latin America. Family members are often caregivers for individuals with traumatic brain injury, which can result in significant stress. Research is needed to examine depression and quality of the caregiving relationship in these dyads.

Predictors of longitudinal depression trajectories after traumatic brain injury in Latin America: A multi-site study.

Background: Latin America has exceptionally high rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but very little research has been conducted on longitudinal TBI outcomes in this global region.

Objective: This study examined whether cognitive dysfunction and social disadaptation in individuals with TBI in Latin America at hospital discharge predict longitudinal trajectories of depression at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months.

Methods: A sample of 109 people with a new TBI was recruited from three hospitals: Mexico City, Mexico, Cali, Colombia and Neiva, Colombia.