Spousal relationships and identity following brain injury

Villa, Darrelle (2013). Spousal relationships and identity following brain injury. University of Birmingham. Clin.Psy.D.

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Abstract

This thesis comprises two parts. The first part is a systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative literature on the psychological and social processes contributing to experiences of identity change and adaptive reconstruction in people with traumatic brain injury. From 33 papers, nine inter-related themes emerged: 1) loss of self-knowledge; 2) experiences of personal and social discrepancy; 3) lack of legitimate social roles; 4) discrepancies between self-experiences and the discourses and practices of others; 5) discourses and practices that deny personhood; 6) recovering self; 7) continuity amid change; 8) acceptance; 9) personal growth and meaning-making. The second part of the thesis is a qualitative study, using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which investigates how partners of people with acquired brain injury experience and make sense of their post-injury relationship. Five wives and one husband were interviewed, transcripts analysed, and three interconnected themes presented relating to experiences of continuity of the person, continuity of the relationship, and experiences of caregiving. It is suggested that experiences of relationship continuity were associated with a better sense of adjustment and more person-centred approaches to caregiving.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.

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