Correlates of depression in adult siblings of persons with traumatic brain injury

Using Pearlin's stress process model, this study examined correlates of depression in 170 adult siblings of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Approximately 39% of adult sibling participants evinced Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D; Radloff, 1977) scores indicating clinically significant depressive symptoms. Background characteristics found to be related to higher ratings of depression included being female and history of a pre-TBI depressive episode. In addition, results indicated that perceptions of more restrictions in valued family activities and less accessibility to social support were related to higher ratings of depression. Contrary to study hypotheses, an inverse relationship was found between subjective caregiving burden and depression. Practice and research implications of these findings are discussed.