Women Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory study is to determine the effects of traumatic brain injuries on the lives of women, based on self-report. This research consisted of face to face interviews with five female head injury survivors. The interview schedule, a structured list of open-ended questions, focused on issues of family system, social, physical, cognitive and emotional changes, effects on employment and experience with formal and informal community services. As theoretical frameworks I discuss Kubler- Ross's theory of grief and loss, the ABC-X model of stress and adaptation, and the body of head injury research which has focused largely on male subjects. Discussion focuses on a comparison of study findings to existing literature. Implications for social work practice exist are the need for advocacy and resources post-injury, as revealed by participants.