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Chapter One: This chapter reviews the relevant literature published since 1990 that has addressed the psychological impact both progressive and acute brain injury can have upon spouses of patients. The papers reviewed suggest that psychological strain or burden experienced by spouse carers is associated with a number of factors irrespective of illness type. A number of methodological limitations of the studies reviewed are discussed along with implications for clinical practice. Further research is required that explores the experience of family members to ascertain the best way forward for rehabilitation services in terms of providing family orientated interventions and support. Chapter Two: Chapter two presents a study that explores the views, beliefs and experiences of brain injury rehabilitation professionals on working collaboratively with families. Using a qualitative research approach, two focus groups were conducted with a total of 12 professionals from a range of disciplines. Focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis. A number of salient themes emerged that reflected the narrative collected. Implications for brain injury rehabilitation services and suggestions for further research are made. Chapter Three: Chapter three presents an empirical study that explores children's experiences of parental brain injury. Using a qualitative research approach interviews were conducted with twelve participants aged between 11 and 18 years living at home with a brain-injured parent. Interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). A number of themes emerged that reflected the narrative collected. A preliminary model of adaptation to parental brain injury is proposed. Implications for brain injury rehabilitation services in terms of addressing the needs of children and suggestions for further research are discussed. Chapter Four: This chapter documents the first author's experience of conducting the two empirical papers presented in chapters two and three. Specifically it highlights a number of ethical and methodological concerns associated to conducting focus groups and interviewing children. The first author's personal account and reflections in relation to each of the two research studies are also presented.

This research study consisted of an examination of the role played by the educational psychologist in the emotional and social rehabilitation of the TBI adolescent. A survey of the literature reveals that traumatic brain injury during adolescence negatively impacts on their adaptation, development and functioning after the acute phase of the rehabilitation process. In order to study this phenomenon, a psycho-educational perspective was utilised. An in-depth qualitative study was undertaken by means of a case study design. The two cases being presented offers the reader insight into the cases pre-morbid functioning, the accident and its aftermath, the specific traumatic brain injuries, the emotional and social problems encountered by these adolescents as well as the psychotherapeutic interventions applied by the educational psychologist in the rehabilitation process of the cases under investigation. The conclusions reached from this investigation were that traumatic brain injury during the developmental phase of adolescence, negatively impacts on the emotional and social well being of these adolescents, and that the educational psychologist plays a valuable role in the emotional and social rehabilitation of these adolescents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This research study consisted of an examination of the role played by the educational psychologist in the emotional and social rehabilitation of the TBI adolescent. A survey of the literature reveals that traumatic brain injury during adolescence negatively impacts on their adaptation, development and functioning after the acute phase of the rehabilitation process. In order to study this phenomenon, a psycho-educational perspective was utilised. An in-depth qualitative study was undertaken by means of a case study design. The two cases being presented offers the reader insight into the cases pre-morbid functioning, the accident and its aftermath, the specific traumatic brain injuries, the emotional and social problems encountered by these adolescents as well as the psychotherapeutic interventions applied by the educational psychologist in the rehabilitation process of the cases under investigation. The conclusions reached from this investigation were that traumatic brain injury during the developmental phase of adolescence, negatively impacts on the emotional and social well being of these adolescents, and that the educational psychologist plays a valuable role in the emotional and social rehabilitation of these adolescents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)