(Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke
Abstract Introduction People with poststroke acquired brain injury (ABI) face a complex and often troubled identity reconstruction journey. The literature is rich with studies related to the psychological and neuropsychological components involved in rehabilitation, but it is lacking with respect to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Health Expectations |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13874 |
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| author | Elena Faccio Cristina Fonte Nicola Smania Jessica Neri |
| author_facet | Elena Faccio Cristina Fonte Nicola Smania Jessica Neri |
| author_sort | Elena Faccio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction People with poststroke acquired brain injury (ABI) face a complex and often troubled identity reconstruction journey. The literature is rich with studies related to the psychological and neuropsychological components involved in rehabilitation, but it is lacking with respect to the investigation of the existential dimensions and the challenges associated with finding new senses and meanings for one's identity and future perspectives, body and interpersonal relationships. Methods The aim of this study is to investigate the narrative processes of identity reconstruction after brain damage. Through a qualitative approach, 30 autobiographical narratives about self, body and the relationships with others were collected and analyzed. Semistructured interviews were used for the data collection. Narrative and positioning analysis were applied. Results Four main positionings emerged: sanctioning a radical break with one's previous life; assuming a sense of salvation and compulsory as well as irreversible adaptation to the limitations associated with one's condition; feeling different and disabled; and considering new possibilities and active constructions of self‐being in relationship with others. These results underline the narrative processes of construction of the injury and the identity and delineate possible resources and instruments to improve the clinical practice for health practitioners. They are also valuable for other professionals who deal with neurological services and rehabilitation, such as psychological counselling and support for persons who have experienced ABI and their families. Patient or Public Contribution This work resulted from a close collaboration between two universities and a hospital neurological rehabilitation department in the Veneto Region (Northern Italy). Three associations of people with stroke and their families living in the same area contributed to designing the research on the basis of the needs expressed by their members with the aim to identify strategies and devices to be implemented in the public service to improve the care pathway. They also participated in the interpretation of the data. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e004fc8a30764c7596d7f922235c4710 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1369-6513 1369-7625 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Health Expectations |
| spelling | doaj-art-e004fc8a30764c7596d7f922235c47102025-08-23T11:53:04ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252024-02-01271n/an/a10.1111/hex.13874(Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after strokeElena Faccio0Cristina Fonte1Nicola Smania2Jessica Neri3Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology University of Padua Padua ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences University of Verona Verona ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences University of Verona Verona ItalyDepartment of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology University of Padua Padua ItalyAbstract Introduction People with poststroke acquired brain injury (ABI) face a complex and often troubled identity reconstruction journey. The literature is rich with studies related to the psychological and neuropsychological components involved in rehabilitation, but it is lacking with respect to the investigation of the existential dimensions and the challenges associated with finding new senses and meanings for one's identity and future perspectives, body and interpersonal relationships. Methods The aim of this study is to investigate the narrative processes of identity reconstruction after brain damage. Through a qualitative approach, 30 autobiographical narratives about self, body and the relationships with others were collected and analyzed. Semistructured interviews were used for the data collection. Narrative and positioning analysis were applied. Results Four main positionings emerged: sanctioning a radical break with one's previous life; assuming a sense of salvation and compulsory as well as irreversible adaptation to the limitations associated with one's condition; feeling different and disabled; and considering new possibilities and active constructions of self‐being in relationship with others. These results underline the narrative processes of construction of the injury and the identity and delineate possible resources and instruments to improve the clinical practice for health practitioners. They are also valuable for other professionals who deal with neurological services and rehabilitation, such as psychological counselling and support for persons who have experienced ABI and their families. Patient or Public Contribution This work resulted from a close collaboration between two universities and a hospital neurological rehabilitation department in the Veneto Region (Northern Italy). Three associations of people with stroke and their families living in the same area contributed to designing the research on the basis of the needs expressed by their members with the aim to identify strategies and devices to be implemented in the public service to improve the care pathway. They also participated in the interpretation of the data.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13874acquired brain injuriesidentitynarrative analysisperson‐centred carepositioningpublic care |
| spellingShingle | Elena Faccio Cristina Fonte Nicola Smania Jessica Neri (Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke Health Expectations acquired brain injuries identity narrative analysis person‐centred care positioning public care |
| title | (Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke |
| title_full | (Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke |
| title_fullStr | (Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke |
| title_full_unstemmed | (Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke |
| title_short | (Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke |
| title_sort | re constructing identity following acquired brain injury the complex journey of recovery after stroke |
| topic | acquired brain injuries identity narrative analysis person‐centred care positioning public care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13874 |
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