Understanding the role of communication in maintaining and forming friendships following traumatic brain injury

作者：Shorland Joanna; Douglas Jacinta M^*

来源：Brain Injury, 2010, 24(4): 569-580.

DOI：10.3109/02699051003610441

• Communication
• friendship
• conversational skills
• social participation
• brain injury

Research design: A qualitative approach based on Grounded Theory.
Methods and procedures: Purposive sampling of two participants living in the community at a minimum of 2 years post-severe TBI was utilized. Data was collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed for categories and themes.
Outcomes and results: Three major themes were evident: (1) The experience of friendship following TBI, (2) Changes to conversational skill and (3) Opening up to others. Communication change was important in the experience of friendships in so much as difficulties with conversational skill impacted on participation levels and self-disclosure. Participants identified aspects of communication associated with difficulties when interacting with friends and peers.
Conclusions: Participants' stories illustrate the need to address post-TBI communication difficulties within social contexts. Further research addressing communication difficulties that impact on friendships specific to gender, age and time post-injury is warranted.

• 出版日期2010