Factors influencing the uptake of memory compensations: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

In 1996, Wilson and Watson stated that it is not always easy to persuade people with memory impairments to use memory strategies, despite the value of using them. To date, there has been no in-depth exploration of what motivates people to use memory compensations from the perspective of the individual with an acquired brain injury. In this study eight people attending an out-patient brain injury rehabilitation service were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four master themes emerged from the analysis: emotional barriers that need to be overcome before memory compensations are used; factors that may have a reverse effect on motivation, such as the strategy being an unpleasant reminder that one is different; beliefs about memory, such as it is better to use your own memory rather than relying on memory aids otherwise it will become lazy; and the final master theme “It's not in my nature”, i.e., it does not fit with the person's lifestyle. The results show that motivation for strategy use depends on complex processes that include social, emotional and practical factors. This study demonstrates the importance of adhering to a biopsychosocial approach within rehabilitation.

Keywords:

• Memory compensations
• Acquired brain injury (ABI)

Notes

¹ For the purpose of this paper, the term memory compensations will be used to describe memory aids; i.e., external aids (such as a diary, mobile phone, wall calendar) and internal aids (such as mnemonics). It is also used to describe memory strategies, for example, something people think or do to help them remember, such as putting things in key places, and creating mental pictures or rhymes to help them remember people's names.