The association between family cohesion and disability following blunt trauma: findings from a level-I trauma center in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Injuries pose a significant burden on population health of Saudi Arabia. Even in nonfatal injuries, the burden varies from temporary to permanent disabilities. Health outcomes following injuries can vary, and predictors of recovery from disability are not well understood. In the Kingdom, family values and cohesion can differ from other countries due to several factors, including religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Learning about predictors of injury recovery can improve prevention as well as planning for rehabilitation programs. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the association between family cohesion and recovery following blunt injuries. Methods: This prospective study included 249 patients who were hospitalized for at least 1 day following blunt trauma in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. Adult patients were interviewed twice: initially during admission, and a second interview via the phone 3 months after discharge. Baseline information included: demographics, injury characteristics, the five dimensions EQ-5D and family support scale. The follow-up interview captured only EQ-5D. Suboptimal family cohesion was defined as any issue with the relationship with parents, spouse, or siblings. Any disability was defined as a reported limitation in one or more domains of the EQ-5D scale. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between family cohesion and recovery at 3 months. Results: Of the overall sample, 169 (67.8%) responded to the second interview, and three patients passed away. About 95.2% of patients reported disabilities at baseline, while 88.1% continued to report disabilities after 3 months. Forty patients (16.1%) reported suboptimal family cohesion. Of these patients, 37(94.87%) were in pain, 33(82.5%) reported problems with usual activities, 32(80%) faced problems with self-care, 32 (80%) patients had difficulty in mobility, and 23(57.5%) were depressed. Multivariable regression suggested that patients with suboptimal family cohesion were less likely to recover from disabilities.

Application of the EQ-5D in the Middle East: A Systematic Review Focusing on Patients Living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…The most studied condition was diabetes mellitus (n=4), [23][24][25][26] followed by musculoskeletal disorders, back pain, and injuries (n=3). [27][28][29] The remaining articles focused either on a specific condition, such as urinary…”

“…Only three of the thirteen official administrative Saudi Arabian regions have been studied: Riyadh, 26,29,30,34 Makkah, 24,27,32 and Dammam. 23 Riyadh likely accounts for more publications, being the capital of the KSA and home to many hospitals and universities.…”

The Role of Mental Health of Mothers of Children With Learning Disabilities in the Relationship Between Parental Stress, Mother-child Interaction, and Children’s Behavioral Disorders

“…To explain this finding, it can be stated that positive motherchild interactions improve the mental health status of Studies have also revealed that the families of children with learning disabilities report high levels of conflict and low levels of cohesion. Moreover, a sense of parenting inadequacy may gradually affect other private parts of the lives and marital relationships of the mothers of these children over time (Gerstein & Crnic 2018;Mohammed Almarwani et al 2020). As a result, parents, especially the mothers of such children naturally encounter further problems.…”