Current status and influencing factors of social support for main caregivers of children with traumatic brain injury: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background

Children with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) frequently undergo rapid fluctuations in their health status, imposing significant strain on their caregivers. This study aimed to evaluate the social support available to primary caregivers of pediatric TBI patients, to provide actionable insights to improve clinical support systems.

Methods

Primary caregivers of pediatric TBI patients treated at our hospital from February 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024, were included in this study. The Social Support Rating Scale was utilized to assess the social support of these caregivers. Pearson correlation analysis and logistic regression were conducted to identify determinants significantly associated with the level of social support.

Results

Two hundred forty-two primary caregivers of children with TBI were enrolled in this study. The mean social support score for these caregivers was 38.52 (± 9.29), suggesting a moderate level of social support. Correlations were identified between social support scores and several caregiver characteristics: age (r=-0.564), educational level (r = 0.602), place of residence (r = 0.542), and monthly per capita family income (r = 0.633). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR = 2.184, 95%CI: 1.904–3.022), educational level (OR = 2.462, 95%CI: 1.755–4.086), residence (OR = 2.189, 95%CI: 1.805–2.753), and monthly per capita family income (OR = 3.428, 95%CI: 2.402–4.216) significantly influenced the level of social support.

Conclusion

Enhancing the social support for primary caregivers of children with TBI is imperative. Clinical healthcare providers are advised to develop and implement targeted interventions aimed at the modifiable factors identified, in order to bolster the social support levels of these caregivers.