A meta-synthesis of individual, interpersonal, and systemic factors impacting resilience after traumatic brain injury.
Sarah M Bannon, Nathan S Fishbein, Brenda C Lovette and 8 others
PMID 35980702WHAT IT FOUND
Survivors of traumatic brain injury describe resilience as shaped by three levels.
Individual barriers include cognitive decline and identity loss, countered by behavioral strategies like task breakdown. Interpersonal factors involve stigma and isolation, mitigated by strong support networks. Systemic barriers include lost employment and poor service access, eased by vocational support and accessible community resources.
Key findings
01Individual-level resilience is hindered by physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that alter identity, but facilitated by behavioral strategies like breaking down tasks and psychological strategies like mindfulness.
02Interpersonal resilience is threatened by stigma and social isolation, often due to invisible symptoms, but supported by preserved close relationships and peer groups that reduce loneliness.
03Systemic resilience is blocked by employment loss, financial instability, and limited healthcare access, but enhanced by vocational training, reliable information, and accessible community environments.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The studies included were predominantly from Australia and the United States, with samples that were largely white and English-speaking, so findings may not apply to other cultural or geographic contexts. Few studies used longitudinal designs, making it difficult to determine how barriers and facilitators change over time. Many included studies did not adequately report on ethical considerations or researcher bias, which could affect the interpretation of the themes. Individuals who did not receive ongoing rehabilitation care were seldom represented, so the findings may not reflect the experiences of those with less access to services.
Declared interests
The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these factors apply universally to all TBI survivors. The synthesis is based on studies from predominantly white, English-speaking populations in specific countries, and it does not account for how resilience changes over time due to the lack of longitudinal data in the source studies.