Quality of Life, Stress Perception, and Quality of Social Networks in Persons Living with Brain Injury: An Exploration of the Effectiveness of a Community-Based Program

• Main Authors: Barbara P. White, Abigail Brinkman, Barbara P. Kresge, Lisa Couture
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Western Michigan University 2018-10-01
• Series: Open Journal of Occupational Therapy
• Subjects: acquired brain injury; community based program; quality of life
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1428&context=ojot
• ISSN: 2168-6408; 2168-6408

Background: This paper examines specific program elements of a community-based program for individuals living with brain injury. Results from a previous study suggested that members who attended regularly reported lower stress perception, higher quality of life perception, and higher social connectedness than did peers living in the community without such supports. In this study, we sought to understand reasons for their perceptions about how the program may have been helpful in shaping their perspectives of living with the effects of brain injury. Methods: An explanatory case-study approach was applied, using multiple cases. Nine individuals were randomly selected from a subsample of the original outcomes study. Individuals were interviewed using a series of semi-structured and open-ended questions for 60-90 min about the way the community-based program may have impacted their lives. Results: Narrative transcripts from participant interviews were reviewed by the authors and organized into four prominent themes that illustrated important member-centric outcomes of the program. Conclusions: This study explored key attributes and characteristics that may contribute to the effectiveness of a community-based program for persons living with chronic brain injury. Themes that emerged from member interviews align with occupational therapy theories and may be helpful in shaping community-based practice.