AN INVESTIGATION OF FAMILY IMPACT OF CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL AND ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the family impact of children with congenital and acquired brain injury, the levels of depression in mothers, and the factors that might affect family functioning. Methods: This study included 42 children with brain injury (20 congenital, 22 acquired) and their caregiver mothers. Impact on Family Scale (IFS) was used to evaluate family impact and the Beck Depression Inventory for the level of depression in the mothers. The Functional Oral Intake Scale for the status of oral intake of children. Results: This study illustrated that the levels of family impact (z=-1.161, p=0.246) and mothers' depression (z=-0.177, p=0.860) were similar in children with congenital and acquired brain injury. In this study, a relationship was found between the child's feeding position (z=-0.684, p=0.043) and family income level (z=5.981, p=0.046) with family impact. Conclusion: The family impact of having children with disabilities may be related to many factors. In order to understand this mechanism, future studies should be planned with a holistic approach. The results of these studies, provide information to be used in the development of interventions for parents of children with disabilities.