2010) Diurnal cortisol and coping responses in close relatives of persons with acquired brain injury: A longitudinal mixed methods study. Brain Injury, 24 (6). pp. 893-903. ISSN 0269-9052 Link to official URL (if available): http://dx. Abstract Objective: To examine the impact of having a close relative experience a severe brain injury. Design: Six-month longitudinal mixed methods concurrent embedded study. Quantitative data provided the primary database and qualitative data provided the

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... ry source. Methods: Assessment included psychosocial factors of perceived stress, traumatic stress symptoms, coping, and social support in addition to salivary cortisol as a biological marker of stress. Written accounts of the experience were provided in response to an open-ended question. Participants composed 15 close relatives of adults with severe brain injury admitted to a specialist rehabilitation facility (mean age 49.4 years; SD 11.79). Assessments were conducted on admission, at six weeks, three months, and six months post admission. Results: Quantitative data revealed high traumatic stress at admission with a nonsignificant decline at follow-up. Diurnal cortisol output declined significantly from baseline to all follow-up assessments. Coping subscales of acceptance and religion were repeated associated with cortisol indices at baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months follow up. Qualitative data revealed two themes; 'relational impact' and 'passage of time'. Conclusions: Findings offer the potential for effective and timely intervention in family members of persons with severe brain injury.