Current needs, the future of adolescents and young adults having sustained a moderate or severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the potential of their social participation

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to identify the specific needs of youths who have suffered a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their levels of life habit accomplishments. The secondary objective aims to identify how they view themselves in the future with regard to their life habits. Eighteen young persons with moderate or severe TBIs aged 14 to 20 completed questionnaires based on the Life-Habits questionnaire and elaborated on their current level of satisfaction and their visions of the future. Teenagers reported that maintaining good interpersonal relationships, being autonomous, fulfilling their responsibilities, warding off loneliness, as well as being supported in their efforts to reach a satisfying response to their needs and concerns were their highest priorities. In order to increase their satisfaction related to life habits they suggest improving external factors, such as information concerning TBIs to their entourage. They see themselves as complete social participants in the future. Youths with moderate or severe TBIs identified their needs and envisioned their future to be like that of any other teenager and young adult. They hope to start a family and find a good job. They also identified strategies to improve their life habits.

Assessment of Social Participation in Three Measurement Times in Children with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) Based on Parental Perceptions

“…Education and interpersonal relationships are quite likely to be reported as the items with the most difficulties experienced in adulthood, as suggested by Anderson et al [36] in a study conducted among 124 young adults who sustained TBI during their childhood or adolescence. Also, Sirois et al (2014) [49] showed that adolescents and young adults think that they will always experience difficulties in the accomplishment of items related to education in the future. Similarly, interpersonal relationships are a major concern for them as they identified the need to maintain good family relationships.…”