Family experiences up to seven years after a severe traumatic brain injury–family interviews

Abstract

Purpose To explore the experiences of being a family with one member suffering from severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) up to 7 years earlier through narrative family interviews. Methods There are few studies where a family as a unit, including persons with STBI, are interviewed together. This study used a family systems research approach following a qualitative interpretative design. Therefore, 21 families with a total of 47 family members were interviewed. Qualitative content analysis was used to reveal categories with sub-categories and a theme. Results “From surviving STBI towards stability, through the unknown, into a new everyday life and a new future as a family” characterized the implicit message. The results revealed two categories both with three subcategories. The first category characterized the rapid change from a normal everyday life to one of uncertainty and finally to one of stability, and the second category described how it is to adapt as a family after STBI. Conclusions Long-term experiences of STBI show the importance for the whole family of belonging to a context, having a job, and having something to belong to as a way to achieve stability. Families` feelings of loneliness and lack of treatment and support are challenges for professionals when trying to involve families in care and rehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION A sense of belonging, having a purpose and a social network are important within families. Professionals can provide information and can help to eliminate misunderstandings for individuals with severe traumatic brain injury and their families. It is important for rehabilitation professionals to undertake a thorough family assessment. This assessment will support families become involved in the process of rehabilitation.