Web-Based Training in Family Advocacy

Objective: To examine the efficacy of an interactive multimedia intervention that teaches advocacy skills to people caring for a family member with traumatic brain injury. Participants: A total of 201 individuals (control, n = 97; treatment, n = 104) providing support to a family member with traumatic brain injury. Design: Randomized controlled study. Main Measures: Caregiver knowledge, skill application, behavioral intention, and overall life satisfaction. Intervention: The Brain Injury Partners program, a Web site focused on advocacy, communication skills, and resources for families affected by brain injury. Results: Univariate analyses revealed that compared with the control group, the Brain Injury Partners group reported statistically significant higher adjusted means for application, knowledge, and attitudes scales immediately postintervention and at follow-up. Satisfaction with life, assessed at follow-up but not posttest, was not significant. Discussion: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a Web-based intervention to teach effective skills to caregivers advocating for a family member with traumatic brain injury.