Uncovering the social determinants of brain injury rehabilitation

Stephen Dunne*, Glenn Williams, Chloe Bradbury, Tamsin Keyes, Alison R. Lane, Keming Yang, Amanda Ellison

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
46 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Social determinants of health (SDH), such as social isolation and loneliness, are often more frequently experienced in brain injury survivors. The paper explores the personal experiences of loneliness among brain injury survivors during lockdown to negate health inequalities and improve rehabilitation for this population in the future. Twenty-four brain injury survivors participated in semi-structured interviews and questionnaires relating to loneliness, resilience and wellbeing. Three themes (the experience of loneliness, loneliness during the pandemic and loneliness after the pandemic) explored survivors' experiences of loneliness generally post-brain injury, but also chronicle how these feelings developed in lockdown and survivors' feelings regarding society returning to 'normal'. Future interventions should focus on reframing survivors' beliefs regarding societal expectations and minimise the pressure they experience to keep up with their peers physically and emotionally. Additionally, we recommend creating accessible peer support options for all brain injury survivors as an important step for alleviating loneliness.
Original languageEnglish
Article number13591053231166263
Pages (from-to)956-969
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Health Psychology
Volume28
Issue number10
Early online date7 Apr 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2023

Keywords

  • brain injury
  • health
  • lockdown
  • loneliness
  • social isolation

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