An Exploration of the Experience of Mothers Whose Children Sustain Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Their Families

Alex Clark*, Jacqui Stedmon, Steve Margison

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

<jats:p> This study aims to describe and explore the lived experience of mothers whose children, aged 0—16 years, have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mothers were interviewed between 2 and 10 years following the TBI. The study employed a qualitative method, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), following semi-structured interviews with 10 mothers. Validity measures included independent audit of the analysis. The analysis generated themes of `changes to and loss of the past child', `effects on mother's health', `mother's process of coping and support', `changed roles', `effects on the whole family' and `contact with services'. Discussion of the links between participants' accounts and grief and attachment theories is provided, with a view to informing assessment and rehabilitative practice with children and families. The clinical implications of mothers' descriptions for psychological intervention and service delivery are explored. </jats:p>
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)565-583
Number of pages0
JournalClinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2008

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