Family needs and TBI caregiver mental health in Guadalajara, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death in Mexico, and Mexican TBI caregivers have been shown to experience significant mental health problems and high levels of family needs.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the associations between family needs and Mexican TBI caregiver mental health.

METHODS: Ninety TBI caregivers from Guadalajara, Mexico completed measures assessing their own mental health (depression, anxiety, burden, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem) and family needs (physical health, informational, financial, social support, and household).

RESULTS: Family health needs were uniquely associated with all indices of caregiver mental health, and household needs were uniquely associated with caregiver depression, burden, and anxiety. Additionally, social support needs were related to caregiver satisfaction with life, informational needs to burden, and financial needs to self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions for TBI caregivers in Mexico-and likely in other global regions with high levels of familism-should include an emphasis on overall family health, the delineation of family roles regarding household responsibilities, the improvement of social support networks and the social presence of family members, and the provision of complete and relevant information regarding TBI. When these needs are more comprehensively met, caregiver mental health will likely improve.