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Finding the New Normal: Accepting Changes After Combat‐Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Author(s) -
Hyatt Kyong S.,
Davis Linda L.,
Barroso Julie
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 1527-6546
DOI - 10.1111/jnu.12143
Subject(s) - psychology , grounded theory , traumatic brain injury , psychological intervention , perception , cognition , clinical psychology , occupational safety and health , psychiatry , medicine , developmental psychology , qualitative research , social science , neuroscience , sociology , pathology
More than 300,000 soldiers have returned from Southwest Asia (i.e., Iraq and Afghanistan) with combat‐related mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs). Despite less visible physical injuries, these soldiers demonstrate various physical and cognitive symptoms that impact their ability to reintegrate post‐mTBI. This study explores family reintegration experiences, as described by married dyads, following a combat‐related mTBI. Methods Nine soldiers with mTBI and their spouses participated, and a total of 27 interviews, both joint and individual, were conducted. Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology and semistructured interviews were used to collect participants’ perceptions and analyze the data. Findings The overarching theme of the reintegration experience is described as finding the “new normal.” A new normal was defined by participants as the couple's new, post‐mTBI expectation of the family unit or family routine. Some participants indicated that they had accepted the post‐mTBI changes and were working toward this new normal, whereas others indicated these changes were unacceptable and continued their efforts to return to pre‐injury functioning. Conclusions Individuals with mTBI and their families may benefit from interventions that directly address mismatched expectations and promote the acceptance of a new normal.