Polytrauma System of Care, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
University of Illinois Chicago, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
Disabil Rehabil. 2023 Dec;45(24):4086-4093. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2146766. Epub 2022 Nov 18.
Given the majority of Service Members and Veterans (SMV) who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are male, the female experience with TBI has not been captured in the general understanding of TBI. To improve understanding of the experience of female SMV after TBI utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach on stories as told by female SMV.
Ten female SMV participated in storytelling workshops and created video stories documenting their personal experience with TBI. Workshops were hosted by the VA Palo Alto Health Care System Polytrauma System of Care (VAPAHCS PSC). A grounded thematic analysis was conducted on the video stories.
Three common content themes emerged from all the stories: (1) negative psychological and emotional impacts of TBI, (2) acceptance and healing process associated with recovery, and (3) military contexts. Negative psychological and emotional impacts included intrapersonal impacts such as negative emotions, suicidal ideation, and dealing with cognitive and physical challenges, and interpersonal impacts in relationships and loss of independence. Notably, all the stories acknowledged an acceptance and healing process, characterized by several subthemes including motivational factors, TBI education, spirituality, and advocacy work. Lastly, each story mentioned military context, highlighting the unique experience within this population.
This phenomenological examination adds evidence-based understanding to the experience after TBI among female SMV. Each story uncovered nuanced and multifaceted issues that women experience in their TBI recovery. Our findings provide context to guide future intervention on the care, support, and TBI recovery for the female SMV population.
鉴于大多数经历创伤性脑损伤（TBI）的军人和退伍军人（SMV）都是男性，因此，一般对 TBI 的理解并未涵盖女性经历 TBI 的情况。本研究旨在采用定性现象学方法，基于女性 SMV 的自述故事，深入了解女性 SMV 经历 TBI 后的体验。
10 名女性 SMV 参加了讲故事工作坊，并制作了视频故事，记录了她们个人经历 TBI 的情况。工作坊由退伍军人事务部帕洛阿尔托医疗保健系统创伤系统护理（VAPAHCS PSC）主办。对视频故事进行了扎根主题分析。
所有故事都出现了三个共同的内容主题：（1）TBI 的负面心理和情绪影响；（2）与康复相关的接受和治愈过程；（3）军事背景。负面心理和情绪影响包括内在影响，如负面情绪、自杀意念和应对认知和身体挑战，以及人际关系中的人际影响和丧失独立性。值得注意的是，所有故事都承认接受和治愈过程，其特征包括几个子主题，如激励因素、TBI 教育、精神信仰和倡导工作。最后，每个故事都提到了军事背景，突出了这一人群中独特的经历。
这种现象学研究为女性 SMV 经历 TBI 后的体验提供了循证依据。每个故事都揭示了女性在 TBI 康复过程中经历的复杂和多方面的问题。我们的研究结果为未来为女性 SMV 人群提供护理、支持和 TBI 康复干预提供了背景依据。
