Research Blog: The Effects of Parenting Stress on Behavioural Problems in Children and Young People with Acquired Brain Injuries

Read below about Toby Engelking’s study from the University of Exeter. Toby is a student researcher and a carer for his sibling with an acquired brain injury:

Growing up with a sister that had experienced an acquired brain injury, I have always been acutely aware of the potential adverse effects of damage to the brain. Entering the world of academia I soon discovered the neuropsychological outcomes of paediatric brain injury are understudied. Whilst there is a growing field in researching traumatic brain injuries, the effects of encephalitis are still not well understood. It was important for me to include this  in my study.

My research specifically examines the impact of parental stress on the mental health outcomes of young people who have experienced brain injuries. I reached out to Encephalitis International for assistance with participant recruitment, and they were incredibly supportive. After thoroughly reviewing the aims of my research, they agreed to help distribute my study advertisement, which resulted in 17% of our participants being individuals affected by encephalitis.

The results of my study emphasise the importance of early support for parents following a child’s brain injury. By offering timely intervention, we can help prevent the development of problematic behaviours in children, which may otherwise lead to more severe consequences later in life.

Through my research and discussions with my supervisor, I’ve come to realize just how underrepresented young people with encephalitis are in neuropsychological outcome studies. We hope to write a comprehensive review article on this topic, aiming to raise awareness and encourage further research in the field. The support from Encephalitis International was instrumental in recruiting participants for my study, and their ongoing work is critical in promoting recognition and facilitating research into this disorder.

If you are interested in learning more about Toby’s research please feel free to contact him at:  engelkingt@gmail.com.