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Being a military spouse to a service member with traumatic brain injury (TBI) can amplify the challenges of an intimate relationship. Service members with TBI often experience chronic neurobehavioral symptoms —such as irritability, mood fluctuations and depression — which impact their intimate partners and family members. In 2024, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), which provides comprehensive physical, emotional and spiritual care to service members with TBI, introduced the Family Wellness Program (FWP) to address the impact of TBI on family members. The FWP aims to enhance family well-being through a variety of therapeutic interventions, educational resources and support groups.
Family members receive care along with service members
Family members join service members during the final week of the NICoE’s four-week Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for service members with TBI. Through their participation, family members gain a deeper understanding of the challenges their loved one is facing. Intimate partners participate in educational sessions and clinical appointments alone or with their partners to foster mutual understanding of their experiences and to facilitate service members' recover. Clinical staff provide assessments, information about treatment options, referrals to specialists and access to community-based resources.
The program was developed based on the findings of the Congressionally mandated 15-Year Longitudinal TBI Caregiver Study, which assessed the effects of TBI on service members returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence led the study which began in 2006, and the NICoE served as the primary research site. The mandate also required exploration into the impact of TBI on the families of those injured.
Caregivers are impacted by a family member's TBI
As intimate partners often serve as caregivers for service members with TBI, the study validated the significant challenges of being a family caregiver. It found that many family caregivers report a diminished quality of life across physical, psychological, social and economic areas of their lives.
Dr. Louis French, Deputy Director at the NICoE and principal investigator for the 15-year study, stated, "What we found is that a lot of people that are in that role are neglecting their health. They’re in a lot of emotional turmoil. It feels as if their relationship is unsatisfactory.”
Symptoms both influence and are influenced by family dynamics
The study found that service members' neurobehavioral symptoms both influence and are influenced by family dynamics. A stable and supportive home environment is crucial for the mental health of both the partner and the service member. NICoE social worker Elizabeth Cheuk explained, “If service members don’t have a strong family foundation, that can influence whether or not they stay in the military.”
FWP has demonstrated early success and is slared for implementation at the Intrepid Spirit Centers at Fort Carson, Camp Pendleton, and Fort Bragg in 2025. Recovery continues after the IOP and the FWP helps to ensure that service members’ home environments support healing and facilitate their return to duty.
About the NICoE
The National Intrepid Center of Excellence provides state-of-the art medical, neurological, rehabilitative, behavioral health, advanced imaging and diagnostics, education and complementary services to service members impacted by TBI to facilitate recovery and return to military service. As a Center of Excellence, the NICoE leads and innovates in the delivery of patient-centered care, conducts research to establish protocols for TBI treatment and shares staff expertise through professional training and education.
| Date Taken: | 08.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2025 11:20 |
| Story ID: | 545470 |
| Location: | MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NICoE Family Wellness Program helps families heal after traumatic brain injuries, by Ben Lasky, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
