Article

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has damaging impacts on victims and
family members' lives and their long-term social integration constitutes a major
challenge. PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to document the repercussions
of TBI on victims' long-term social integration (10 years post-trauma) and the
contribution made by the services received from the point of view of TBI victims
and family caregivers. This article examines the determinants of long-term social
integration as well as the impact of TBI on family caregivers. METHODS: A
qualitative design was used (semi-directed interviews). The sample consisted of
22 individuals who had sustained a moderate or severe TBI and 21 family
caregivers. RESULTS: The results show that TBI is an experience that continues to
present difficulties, even 10 years after the accident, and that different
barriers contribute to this difficulty: not going back to work, depressive
episodes, problems in relationships and sequellae. Family caregivers must help
TBI victims confront the barriers in their path. IMPLICATIONS: This study adopts
a longitudinal perspective to help professionals determine how to intervene with
TBI victims and their families. It validates the importance of having clients and
family caregivers describe their reality.

Langue : ANGLAIS