title: Male partner experiences of females with an acquired brain injury: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: Acquired brain injury (ABI) not only has an impact on the survivor, but also on the partner and personal relationships as a whole. The present study aimed to investigate the male partner experience of living with a female with an ABI; exploring role change, intimacy and future expectations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six male partners of five females with a subarachnoid haemorrhage and one female with a traumatic brain injury. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed in depth using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four main themes captured the male partner's lived experience; "Entering the unknown world of ABI", "Imprisoned by the ABI", "Compassion without self-compassion", and "Holding on to hope". The accounts uncovered the male partner's journey following ABI; the unpredictability, sorrow, frustration, and finally acceptance and commitment to their partner. They identified the limited support available for partners following ABI; the sense of feeling forgotten by services and the need for information and support in the acute stages. Rehabilitation needs to take a systemic and longer-term focus, supporting both the survivor and their partner through the journey of ABI.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Psychology , University of Liverpool , Whelan Building, Liverpool L69 3GB , UK.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brunsden
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Psychology , University of Liverpool , Whelan Building, Liverpool L69 3GB , UK.
authors.forename: Gundi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kiemle
authors.affiliation: b 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Acquired Brain Injury Service, Specialist Psychological Therapy Services, Hazelmere Unit, Leigh Infirmary , Leigh , UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mullin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Acquired brain injury; Intimacy; Male partners; Qualitative research; Relationships