Youth and young adults with acquired brain injury transition towards work-related roles: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of youth and young adults with acquired brain injury as they transition towards work-related roles. Little is known about employment experiences among this age group. Understanding their perspectives can inform programs and clinical practice.

Materials and methods: A descriptive qualitative design, including semi-structured interviews with 14 participants (8 females; 6 males) was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an open-coding, thematic approach.

Results: Three major themes emerged related to the experience of work-related roles: (1) getting to know the new me; (2) navigating support systems; and (3) taking control of my experience. Some participants used coping strategies to acquire and/or maintain work-related roles, while others felt limited by their condition.

Conclusions: A variety of work-related roles, people, and environments directly and indirectly influenced the work-related transition of youth and young adults with acquired brain injury. Individuals expressed the importance of acquired brain injury awareness in informing others about their impairments. In fact, a lack of acquired brain injury awareness was often a main reason for receiving less than adequate support and accommodations. Without an understanding of acquired brain injury, people in the lives of these individuals were unable to perceive the legitimacy of acquired brain injury-related impairments.

Implications for rehabilitation

• The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of youth and young adults with acquired brain injury as they transition into work-related roles. Using these experiences as a guideline can promote acquired brain injury awareness, and contribute to how current interventions are designed and delivered.

• Clinicians should ensure that youth and young adults with acquired brain injury have access to the resources they need to maximize their independence.

• Healthcare professionals can play a pivotal role in relaying important acquired brain injury-related education, implementing suitable treatment plans, and providing them with effective tips to help them through their transition.

• A healthy transition to work-related roles should include ample social support and communication, acquired brain injury-related information that informs the community of acquired brain injury impairments, needs, and recovery trajectory, as well as adequate and consistent coordination within and between the person and the environment.

Keywords:

• Acquired brain injury
• adolescent(s)
• adolescence
• vocation
• experience
• transition

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participants who participants who took part in the study and the staff and students in the TRAIL lab for their support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, Ontario Graduate Scholarship and University of Toronto Fellowship.