Is it me or the injury: Students’ perspectives on adjusting to life after traumatic brain injury through participation in study

ABSTRACT

Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), participating in education often provides a pathway for returning to a student's pre-injury life. In this paper, we explore themes related to adjustment and identity that emerged from students’ reflections about their study journey. The data for this project are drawn from a longitudinal, predominantly qualitative investigation. Twelve students (aged: 17–32 years) completed up to three in-depth interviews over a period of 4–15 months, capturing a total of 30 time points. Data were analysed using grounded theory methods. A significant theme of “Is it Me or is it the Injury?” emerged from the context of students’ descriptions of self, “Me” and thoughts about their injury, “The Injury.” This emergent theme was indicative of the complex processes involved in adjusting and reshaping identity that arose from students’ participation in education. The concepts identified in this research suggest that clinicians and educators must adopt a comprehensive, holistic and flexible approach to supporting students that can be adapted to reflect the individual and dynamic processes involved.

KEYWORDS:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Adjustment
• Students
• Insider Perspectives
• Participation

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by scholarships awarded to the first author by Epworth Healthcare and Victorian Brain Injury Recovery Association/East Kew Branch of the Community Bendigo Bank Research Scholarship.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.