People’s experiences of ‘personally important moments’ following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), the meanings they attach to them and the influence they have on their post-ABI journey: A qualitative study.

Venables, Katie (2017) People’s experiences of ‘personally important moments’ following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), the meanings they attach to them and the influence they have on their post-ABI journey: A qualitative study. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Microsoft Word Download (15MB)

Abstract

This research portfolio aimed to increase understanding of the needs of people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and their caregivers and provide insight in to how they may be better supported. The aim was to systematically review current literature on providing caregivers with person-to-person information and education during post-stroke rehabilitation and the effect this has on their depressive symptoms. The second aim was to discover moments that people experience post-ABI that they consider to be ‘personally important’, to explore the subjective meaning attached to these moments and the influence on their post-injury journey. A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases and manual reference search. Alongside this review ten individuals with ABI were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using grounded theory and a theoretical model was developed. The systematic review yielded 12 studies appropriate for inclusion. Nine studies were rated as having good methodological quality, two were moderate and two were weak. Seven studies found that providing caregivers with education and information in post-stroke rehabilitation reduced their depressive symptoms. Five studies had no significant findings. From the qualitative research, three broad types of important moments were identified: Moments that contribute to a coherent sense of self, Moments of social interaction and Moments of disempowerment. The types of moments and the process of subjective meaning-making were associated with two types of influence on the lives of individuals: Ability to work with own reality and “What will be will be”. In conclusion, providing caregivers with person-to-person information and education during post-stroke rehabilitation may reduce their depressive symptoms. Findings are presented tentatively and further research is required. Conclusions from the qualitative research suggest people experience important moments, following ABI, that increase awareness of the post-injury self. Subjective appraisal of important moments impacts on a person’s sense of continued self and influences broader adjustment narratives.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Bruce Beckett
Date Deposited:	26 Jul 2018 10:16
Last Modified:	07 Sep 2018 10:22
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/67868
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item