Living with suicidality following traumatic brain injury: a qualitative study. (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knight, Ellie; Norman, Alyson; Simpson, Grahame K
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 34:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1010
• Page End: 1019
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Traumatic Brain Injury -- suicide -- suicide ideation -- hopelessness -- lived experience -- protective factors; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1763463
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: Numbers of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are increasing, and with suicidality post-injury presenting at 3–4 times higher than in the general population, understanding this is crucial in reducing a devastating outcome. Given the lack of literature, this study investigated the experiences of living with suicidality after TBI. Methods: Interview data from nineteen participants with TBI from a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia were collected and thematically analyzed. Findings: The participants (predominantly male) sustained extremely severe injuries (median PTA 60 [IQR 81.0] days) and were in the chronic phase post-injury (median 8.0 [IQR 9.0] years). Six main themes were identified; Loss of sense of self, TBI as a hidden disability, Chronic but transient suicidality, Reliance, Protective factors, and Hope. Tentative relationships between themes and subthemes were identified. Conclusion: Chronic suicidality after TBI was demonstrated consistently regardless of receiving long-term support. However, their engagement with protective factors such as social support, spirituality and positive personal qualities was identified. Implementing these as coping strategies during long-term rehabilitation may reduce the levels of suicidal distress. Implications, methodological considerations and future research were discussed, with the aim of improving experiences of individuals with TBI to reduce suicidality.