Reunited

A qualitative study on couple intervention after brain injury

Abstract

When a person acquires a brain injury (ABI), it affects the whole family. Therefore, it is essential to focus not only on the ABI survivor but also on partners. This article presents an exploratory study on a couple’s intervention. Based on a dyadic perspective, three couples received therapeutic sessions as a part of a holistic rehabilitation programme at an inpatient rehabilitation centre. Participants were aged 40-55 years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the couples after the intervention. All interviews were transcribed and subsequently analysed, drawing on thematic content analysis. Based on the analysis, three themes emerged: Recognition of the dyad, room to talk to each other and additional needs in the intervention. All three couples expressed that the psychological intervention in the form of couple sessions was of great importance. However, they all expressed that the intervention was needed earlier in the rehabilitation process and that it was repeated later.