Family Reintegration Experiences of Soldiers with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

摘要

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore family reintegration processes of post-mTBI soldiers and their spouses as described in their own words. Design: Both joint and separate individual interviews were conducted with nine soldiers with mTBI and their spouses for a total of 27 interviews. Methods: Strauss and Corbin s grounded theory methodology was used. Sample: Participants were active duty soldiers with deployment-related mTBI and their legally married civilian spouses who spoke English. Sampling was directed by theoretical sampling methods, which means that recruitment of study participants was guided by emerging and theoretically relevant constructs drawn from analysis of collected data (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Analysis: Data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously, followed by a gathering of more focused data to answer emerging analytic questions. Categories that emerged with high frequency and connected with other categories were considered core categories (Charmaz, 2006; Pandit, 1996; Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Findings: The core variable of aim 1 was, Finding a New Normal. A new normal was defined by participants as the couple s new, post-mTBI expectation of the family unit or family routine. The overarching theme of aim 2 was, Chasing the Care, which soldiers described as having to be persistent in order to receive adequate and appropriate care following mTBI. It is described with the following sub-themes: advocating for care for post-mTBI symptoms, getting the care for post-mTBI symptoms, and sharing the responsibility of care with healthcare providers. Implications for Military Nursing: Military nurses are at the forefront in identifying mTBI when post-deployment soldiers present to the emergency room or other clinical settings. It is also nurses who, as case managers, advocate for post-mTBI care, and it is nurses who provide much of that care and who educate soldiers and their family members about mTBI.