Understanding and Coping: An Exploration of the Family's Experience of Services and Health-Care Professionals When Someoone in the Family Suffers a Brain Injury.

Brain injury is an increasingly common cause of disability in the UK. Recognition of the need for specialist brain injury services is increasing. Awareness of the crucial role that family members play in rehabilitation is also increasingly acknowledged in research, clinical practice and Government targets. Although desirable, it is not always possible for rehabilitation professionals to work collaboratively with family members. This project explores how collaboration might be improved. This study used a cross sectional, mixed methods correlational design to explore the experiences of thirty-two family members, aged 23-76 years old. Participants were asked to complete measures of: understanding of brain injury, mood, and coping style and rate how well they felt they coped with their relative’s injury. Participants also indicated how many compensatory strategies they used and would recommend to a fictional character in a vignette. Data were explored using correlations. Participants were interviewed about their experiences of working with rehabilitation services and professionals. Transcripts were analysed with a top-down theme analysis and four were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results revealed no statistical relationships between understanding and use of compensatory strategies. Qualitative analyses revealed a complex relationship where understanding is crucial to collaboration, and to the use of compensatory strategies. Use of task-oriented coping strategies was related to lower depression scores and lower rehabilitation strategy use. Emotional support and maintaining hope were important to successful coping. Themes about likeable and essential characteristics of professionals were identified and discussed. Essential characteristics were: respect, empathy and competence