Given sparse literature examining receipt of behavioral health service in children and caregivers following traumatic brain injury (TBI), the study sought to identify predictors of unmet need. Researchers performed an individual participant data meta-analysis using generalized linear mixed-effect models to examine predictors of behavioral health service use and unmet need. They included 572 children, ages 3 to 18, who were hospitalized overnight following complicated mild to severe TBI between 2002 and 2015. Caregivers completed ratings of depression and distress, child behavior problems, family functioning, and behavioral health service utilization
They found that unmet needs are common after pediatric TBI and relate to family factors. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring service needs following pediatric TBI and point to disparities in service use.