Abstract
Introduction: about 36,000 people are diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury (mtbi) in New Zealand (NZ) every year, which is estimated to be 20% more than the global average. while many recover uneventfully, recovery is slow for others. international and nz literature reports psychological and psychosocial factors are key to mtbi recovery but the exact influences of these psychological and psychosocial factors remain unclear.
Aim: to understand the experiences of people recovering from mtbi by seeking to explain how psychosocial and psychological factors influence, either positively or negatively, injury recovery outcomes.
Method: the study used qualitative methodology and thematic analysis to analyse interview data collected from four participants who were part of a larger study to identify themes from the phenomenon being studied.
Findings: transcripts were thematically analysed, producing three major themes; riding the waves of the recovery process, staying afloat, and when everyone is behind me, which capture the unpredictable nature of recovering from mtbi and the importance of understanding and being supported.
Conclusions: results suggest that the recovery process can be uncertain and lengthy, and while waiting to recover, participants expectations and experiences of their recovery caused significant distress to them, and their family members given the adverse impact this had on their daily lives and family roles. ready access to information, the concussion service and support from family, friends and workmates were invaluable during the recovery journey. findings from this research will help to improve the clinical management of mtbi recovery.