Resources and Coping Strategies among Caregivers of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans with Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury

Family caregivers with adequate resources manage stress from caregiving more effectively, minimizing their risk for poor health. What resources caregivers have and how they use them may vary, however, by care recipients’ level of functional dependence and relationship to the caregiver. Using a cross-sectional mailed survey, we assessed the coping behaviors and social, family, financial, and internal resources used by caregivers of US veterans who sustained war-related polytrauma and traumatic brain injuries. We compared the resources of those caring for veterans needing high and moderate levels of care and parent and spousal caregivers. Spouses had fewer social and family resources and less self-esteem than parents. Parents had higher incomes, but less access to health insurance than spouses. Those caring for veterans with high needs compared to moderate needs were lonelier, but otherwise, resources did not differ. Caregivers, especially spouses, lacked many resources that could help them manage stress from caregiving.