Social Interactions of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand better the social interactions of individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) by exploring how individuals with TBI describe their social interaction experiences. The concepts and themes which emerged from the data suggest a process of refocusing values and re-establishing a view of the self as able and valuable following injury. On the intrapersonal level, the importance of understanding what it meant to live with TBI was a crucial factor in developing core relationships. The development of positive and negative images of "self' emerged at this level along with questions about social competency. Among the broad spectrum of factors that impact social interactions, a combination of social interaction context, communication partner and individual attitudes were significant indicators of a successful social interaction experience.