Exploring the experiences of people with the dual diagnosis of acquired brain injury and mental illness.
OBJECTIVE
People with the dual diagnosis of acquired brain injury and mental illness (ABI/MI) are vulnerable to a range of negative life experiences, which has received limited attention in the literature. The objective of the project described in this paper was to identify and describe these experiences in order to distinguish barriers and facilitators to successful rehabilitation and recovery.


METHODS
The project used qualitative methodologies.


METHODS
The 15 participants were eight people with ABI/MI, two family members and five support workers. Nineteen interviews were conducted. Analysis of these interviews produced a set of five key themes, with each theme elaborated by a set of descriptive issues.


RESULTS
The five themes were loss, personal development, occupation, family and services. The experiences of people with ABI/MI were strongly negative. They faced more barriers than facilitators to recovery. Current policies and practices were inadequate.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced stakeholder collaboration and co-ordination and a more individualized, long-term perspective on the needs of people with ABI/MI are recommended to guide future policy and practice. Future research on quality-of-life, wellbeing, community inclusion and participation in ordinary life was recommended.
Centre for Research into Disability and Society, School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University , Perth, WA , Australia .
Errol
E
Cocks
Caroline
C
Bulsara
Annalise
A
O'Callaghan
Julie
J
Netto
Ross
R
Boaden
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003142:Communication; D003153:Community Health Services; D004651:Employment; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires