After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), people recovering often experience a decline in their community network and poor long-term health and participation. However, social support could play a vital role in improving health outcomes. If people with TBI can lean into the strong support of loved ones, that could protect against functional decline, chronic disease, mental illness, and early mortality. That is why KL2 alum Jessica Kersey, PhD, OTR/L is investigating a novel dyadic intervention aimed at enhancing social support to promote greater participation and long-term health outcomes among people with TBI.
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) recently awarded Dr. Kersey a five-year K01 grant for her project, “Leveraging Social Support to Improve Participation and Health after Brain Injury.” In this study, she will evaluate outcomes for people with TBI when they have a close family member or friend simultaneously participating in interventions. By focusing on communication strategies, shared goals and activities, psychosocial support, peer mentorship, and joint problem-solving, Kersey can assess what social factors contribute most to improved long-term health outcomes to finalize a dyadic rehabilitation intervention that can be tested in larger trials.
The K01 Research Scientist Development Award will allow Dr. Kersey to continue investing in her research and leadership growth. She expressed how beneficial the KL2 Career Development Awards Program was in providing opportunities to learn from colleagues and presenters. Through this K01, she will focus on developing expertise in dyadic research methods, dyadic intervention development and clinical trials, implementation science methods, and advanced scientific leadership and grantsmanship.
This K01 award will support my overall career goals of becoming a scientific leader in dyadic social support rehabilitation interventions and leading an independent research program focused on improving participation and health among adults with acquired TBI.
Jessica Kersey, PhD, OTR/L
The WashU Medicine Clinical Research Training Center is thrilled for this major milestone in Dr. Kersey’s career and looks forward to following the outcomes of her research.