The circumplex model and head injury family types: A test of the balanced versus extreme hypotheses

Olson's (1993) Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems was used as the framework to investigate head injury family types. Participants were 82 primary caregivers of persons with head injuries recruited through the Georgia Head Injury Association. Significant differences on general family functioning and communication were found between Balanced and Extreme head injury families, thus supporting the two primary Circumplex Model hypotheses. Results provide initial evidence to support the Circumplex Model as a framework useful for guiding family assessment, intervention, and research following a member's head injury.