Coping strategies used by parents of children with traumatic brain injury: A cross-sectional study of Palestinians and Israelis

ABSTRACTThis study examined the use and helpfulness of coping strategies and patterns among parents of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants were 122 Arab-Israeli, Jewish-Israeli, and Palestinian parents of 65 children with TBI following their discharge from pediatric rehabilitation hospital. Family-focused strategies were highly prevalent and most helpful among both mothers and fathers. Jewish mothers reported that support coping pattern (but not medical or family) was more helpful than did Arab-Israeli and Palestinian mothers. The findings highlight the need to promote effective coping among mothers of children with TBI with low levels of income and education and underscore the need for continuous long-term professional support to parents of children with TBI after hospital discharge.