@article{ref1,
title="Male partner experiences of females with an acquired brain injury: an interpretative phenomenological analysis",
journal="Neuropsychological rehabilitation",
year="2015",
author="Brunsden, Cara and Kiemle, Gundi and Mullin, Stephen",
volume="27",
number="6",
pages="937-958",
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; &quot;Entering the unknown world of ABI&quot;, &quot;Imprisoned by the ABI&quot;, &quot;Compassion without self-compassion&quot;, and &quot;Holding on to hope&quot;. 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0960-2011",
doi="10.1080/09602011.2015.1109525",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2015.1109525"
}