title: Conceptualizing self and maintaining social connection following severe traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore how adults who have sustained severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) conceptualize self several years after injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-conceptualization was explored from the perspective of the injured individual within a constructivist Grounded Theory approach using in-depth interviews. Qualitative analysis moved through a process of data-driven open and focused coding, identification of emergent self-related categories and exploration of relations between these categories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen men and four women with severe-very severe injury participated in the study. Severity of injury was indexed by either a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8 or duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) ≥14 days. At the time of interview, the average age of participants was 35.2 years and a minimum of 5 years had elapsed since injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes emerged from the data. The first two themes together described a model of self-concept. The third theme captured the insider's perspective on factors that had helped to create and maintain a sense of connection between self and society.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conceptualization of self after brain injury is a dynamic and multi-faceted process. Insight into the process can guide the development of therapeutic endeavours to facilitate the ongoing construction of self after severe TBI.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Communication Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia. j.douglas@latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Jacinta M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003142:Communication; D003210:Concept Formation; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014705:Verbal Behavior