IPA study examining emotional adjustment following brain injury.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of emotional adjustment following brain injury.
IRAS ID
154909
Contact name
Alice Roblin
Contact email
Research summary
Every year, people are afflicted by an acquired brain injury (ABI); an unexpected, life changing event that can have profound effects on the individual and their families. Insult to the brain can occur as a result of ischemic abnormalities, haemorrhages, infections and traumatic injuries. Consequences of a brain injury can be many and varied depending on the type, location and severity of the trauma with difficulties spanning physical, cognitive, social, vocational and emotional functioning. Recovery often entails a long and complex process of adaptation to changed circumstances. It is common for survivors of an ABI to suffer difficultly adjusting emotionally to what has happened as they face a whole array of novel, unique and extensive demands, often with diminished personal resources. A number of factors can play a role in how well a person can navigate through this process of adjustment and recovery.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence based therapy which operates on the premise that psychological distress can be effectively managed using adaptive thinking and behavioural strategies. Group therapy allows individuals to understand that they are not alone in their suffering, and it is suggested that hearing the opinions of fellow survivors may have the potential to be far more influencing than the opinion of a clinician. This study aims to capture the experiences of brain injury survivors who have participated in a CBT based emotion management group through conducting semi-structured interviews. The recorded material will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative research approach that examines how people make sense of their major life experiences, through exploration of their understandings, perceptions and views.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
14/WA/1033
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion