TY - JOUR

T1 - A manual-based family intervention for families living with acquired brain or spinal cord injury

T2 - a qualitative study of families’ experiences

AU - Wolffbrandt, Mia Moth

AU - Soendergaard, Pernille Langer

AU - Biering-Sørensen, Fin

AU - Sundekilde, Linda

AU - Kjeldgaard, Amanda

AU - Schow, Trine

AU - Arango-Lasprilla, Juan Carlos

AU - Norup, Anne

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Purpose: To explore families’ experiences of participating in a family intervention, targeting families living with the consequences of acquired brain injury (ABI) or spinal cord injury (SCI). Materials and methods: Individuals with ABI or SCI and their family members were recruited from a randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of the manual-based family intervention, which consisted of eight weekly sessions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 families (n = 33). The data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Results: One central theme was developed “A sense of belonging together again”, describing the value of the reciprocal format of the family intervention, where individuals with ABI or SCI and their family members gained new insights into each other while building up their relationship. The central theme was supported by three additional themes: “Strengthened communication and emotional control”, “Acknowledging the changed life situation” and “Being seen as a whole person”. Conclusions: The family intervention supported the families to strengthen family cohesion and to be capable to manage the changed life situation. The findings emphasize the importance of a family-centered approach in neurorehabilitation, and how healthcare professionals play a significant role in facilitating families to achieve a balanced level of family cohesion.

AB - Purpose: To explore families’ experiences of participating in a family intervention, targeting families living with the consequences of acquired brain injury (ABI) or spinal cord injury (SCI). Materials and methods: Individuals with ABI or SCI and their family members were recruited from a randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of the manual-based family intervention, which consisted of eight weekly sessions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 families (n = 33). The data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Results: One central theme was developed “A sense of belonging together again”, describing the value of the reciprocal format of the family intervention, where individuals with ABI or SCI and their family members gained new insights into each other while building up their relationship. The central theme was supported by three additional themes: “Strengthened communication and emotional control”, “Acknowledging the changed life situation” and “Being seen as a whole person”. Conclusions: The family intervention supported the families to strengthen family cohesion and to be capable to manage the changed life situation. The findings emphasize the importance of a family-centered approach in neurorehabilitation, and how healthcare professionals play a significant role in facilitating families to achieve a balanced level of family cohesion.

KW - Acquired brain injury

KW - family intervention

KW - qualitative research

KW - spinal cord injury

KW - thematic analysis

U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2023.2280063

DO - 10.1080/09638288.2023.2280063

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37985438

AN - SCOPUS:85177468085

JO - Disability and Rehabilitation

JF - Disability and Rehabilitation

SN - 0963-8288

ER -