“Putting a new perspective on life”: a qualitative grounded theory of posttraumatic growth following acquired brain injury

AbstractPreliminary research supports that acquired brain injury (ABI) can act as a catalyst for positive psychological changes, and that such posttraumatic growth (PTG) increases with time since injury. In this study, posttraumatic growth refers to positive psychological changes in domains including interpersonal relationships, new possibilities, personal strength, spirituality and appreciation for life. This study aimed to identify associations between levels of subjective impairment and depressive symptoms at discharge, and PTG at 6-months postdischarge following ABI. Sixty participants (73% male) with ABI (Mean days of hospitalisation = 32.92, SD = 40.74) were consecutively recruited from an inpatient rehabilitation unit at discharge and were administered measures of subjective impairment (Mayo-Portland Adaptability Index–4; MPAI-4) and depression (Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales; DASS). Participants were followed up at 6-months postdischarge and administered the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, DASS and MPAI-4. The results indicated that levels of PTG reported at six months postdischarge were relatively modest and ranged between no to very small degree of change (‘spirituality’) and a small to moderate degree of change (‘a greater appreciation of life’). Level of subjective impairment at discharge significantly predicted overall level of PTG at 6-months follow-up (β =.40, p < .05, sr2 = .28). Further, at 6-months postdischarge, individuals with a greater appreciation for life reported significantly higher levels of subjective impairment (r = .35; p < .01) and depressive symptoms (r = .34, p < .01) at that time point. These findings indicate that individuals who perceive greater functional consequences of their ABI are more likely to experience PTG. Further, the process of reevaluating priorities and values in life after ABI may be associated with emotional distress during the early stages of community reintegration.

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“Concurrent Ropes and Ladders”: Mapping and Conceptualizing the Emotional Loss Experience of Parents Following Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/10497323211012384 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104973232110123

Author(s):

Einat Yehene ◽

Pnina Steinberg ◽

Maya Gerner ◽

Amichai Brezner ◽

Jana Landa

Keyword(s):

Grounded Theory ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Chronic Stage ◽

Emotional Coping ◽

Before And After ◽

Loss Experience

This grounded theory study aims to map, conceptualize, and theorize the emotional loss experienced by parents following their child’s pediatric acquired brain injury (pABI). Data were obtained from 47 semi-structured interviews conducted with parents (72% mothers) at least 1 year following pABI. The study’s theory of “concurrent ropes and ladders” emerged from a process of initial in vivo coding followed by focused and thematic coding. Codes were consolidated into five thematic categories capturing parents’ emotional continuous loss experience: (a) comparing life before and after, (b) struggling to construct new realities, (c) recognizing instability and permanency, (d) adjusting and readjusting, and (e) grieving as an emotional shadow. These categories are at work simultaneously in parents’ accounts, thus supporting a model of dynamic concurrency within and across their lived experiences. Recommendations for practitioners were derived from the theory to support parents’ emotional coping with living loss throughout the chronic stage.

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Posttraumatic Growth and Spirituality After Brain Injury

Brain Impairment ◽

10.1375/brim.12.2.82 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 82-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Joanna Collicutt McGrath

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Growth ◽

Spiritual Care ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Practical Interest ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Personal Resilience ◽

The Relationship ◽

Human Spirituality

AbstractThis article introduces the concept of posttraumatic growth and briefly reviews the limited number of empirical studies on posttraumatic growth in survivors of brain injury. The relationship between posttraumatic growth and psychological understandings of human spirituality is then explored and it is argued that posttraumatic growth is a type of spirituality that is of particular theoretical and practical interest to healthcare professionals. Specific aspects of the situation of people with acquired brain injury are then considered in this light and some suggestions are made for the integration of spiritual care aimed at supporting personal resilience and promoting posttraumatic growth into rehabilitation practice.

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New group memberships formed after an acquired brain injury predicts post-traumatic growth: A prospective study.

10.31219/osf.io/7uhea ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Siobhán M Griffin ◽

Elaine Kinsella ◽

Daragh Bradshaw ◽

Grace McMahon ◽

Alastair Nightingale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Posttraumatic Growth ◽

Social Group ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Well Being ◽

Post Injury ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Group Memberships

Predicting positive psychosocial outcomes following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) remains a challenge. Considerable research demonstrates that social group memberships can have positive effects on psychological well-being, particularly during life transitions. Social group memberships are argued to help people derive a sense of self. This prospective study examined if social group memberships (number of groups and connectedness with groups) could predict posttraumatic growth (PTG) in those affected by ABI. Thirty-six participants (10 females, Mage = 46.56, SD = 11.46) engaged in community rehabilitation services completed measures at two time-points. Mediation analyses demonstrated that the number of new group memberships (groups formed post-injury) predicted greater PTG at time 2, via stronger connectedness with these new group memberships (controlling for initial PTG). The observed results suggest that a focus on developing and strengthening connections with new group memberships may promote positive adjustment after brain injury.

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Life is about “constant evolution”: the experience of living with an acquired brain injury in individuals who report higher or lower posttraumatic growth

Disability and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1080/09638288.2020.1867654 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Niamh Allen ◽

David Hevey ◽

Simone Carton ◽

Fiadhnait O’Keeffe

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Growth ◽

Acquired Brain Injury

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Growth in a ‘New World’: Case Studies of Peer Leader Experiences in the STEPS Program for People With Acquired Brain Injury

Brain Impairment ◽

10.1375/brim.12.2.152 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 152-164

Author(s):

Areti Kennedy ◽

Benjamin Turner ◽

Melissa Kendall

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Growth ◽

Pattern Analysis ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Information Support ◽

Management Approach ◽

Program Leaders ◽

Growth Outcomes

AbstractBackground: The Skills To Enable People and CommunitieS (STEPS) Program is a new information, support and skills program that aims to develop sustainable networks of support for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families in communities throughout Queensland, Australia. The program adopts a self-management approach and is delivered by trained peer and professional leaders. Aim: To explore the experiences of both peer and lay leaders in the delivery of the STEPS Skills Program and coordination of STEPS Network Groups. Method: A multiple qualitative case study design was utilised to explore the unique experiences of three trained STEPS Program Leaders. Data collection entailed in-depth semistructured interviews with participants and further incorporated routine STEPS Program Leader descriptive data. The data analysis involved a four-stage approach that included assembling the raw case data, constructing case records, producing case narratives and cross-case pattern analysis. Results: Case study narratives were produced to describe participant experiences with the STEPS Program. The cross-case pattern analysis revealed two dimensions of comparison. The first dimension describes the process by which participants became STEPS Program Leaders, while the second dimension reflects the growth outcomes experienced by participants through their involvement with the STEPS Program. Specific growth outcomes are described in relation to the following domains: ‘expansion of social roles and skills’, ‘appreciation of life’, ‘interpersonal relationships and communication’, ‘confidence, personal strength and accomplishment’ and ‘growth in self as a person’. The results are also described with respect to a model that depicts the process of growth through STEPS Program delivery. Conclusion: Posttraumatic growth of peer leaders after brain injury can be facilitated within a therapeutic intervention such as the STEPS Program.

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Training-the-Trainer on Assistive Technology for Cognition (ATC): Current Practices

Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders ◽

10.1044/nnsld23.2.90 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 90-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Laurie Ehlhardt Powell ◽

Tracey Wallace ◽

Michelle ranae Wild

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Assistive Technology ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Online Training ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Train The Trainer ◽

Rehabilitation Professionals ◽

Remote Locations ◽

Training Package ◽

And Training

Research shows that if clinicians are to deliver effective, evidence-based assistive technology for cognition (ATC) services to clients with acquired brain injury (ABI), they first need opportunities to gain knowledge and experience with ATC assessment and training practices (O'Neil-Pirozzi, Kendrick, Goldstein, & Glenn, 2004). This article describes three examples of train the trainer materials and programs to address this need: (a) a toolkit for trainers to learn more about assessing and training ATC; (b) a comprehensive, trans-disciplinary program for training staff to provide ATC services in a metropolitan area; and (c) an overview of an on-site/online training package for rehabilitation professionals working with individuals with ABI in remote locations.

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