Purpose

Numbers of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are increasing, and with suicidality post-injury presenting at 3–4 times higher than in the general population, understanding this is crucial in reducing a devastating outcome. Given the lack of literature, this study investigated the experiences of living with suicidality after TBI.

Methods

Interview data from nineteen participants with TBI from a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia were collected and thematically analyzed.

Findings

The participants (predominantly male) sustained extremely severe injuries (median PTA 60 [IQR 81.0] days) and were in the chronic phase post-injury (median 8.0 [IQR 9.0] years). Six main themes were identified; Loss of sense of self, TBI as a hidden disability, Chronic but transient suicidality, Reliance, Protective factors, and Hope. Tentative relationships between themes and subthemes were identified.

Conclusion

Chronic suicidality after TBI was demonstrated consistently regardless of receiving long-term support. However, their engagement with protective factors such as social support, spirituality and positive personal qualities was identified. Implementing these as coping strategies during long-term rehabilitation may reduce the levels of suicidal distress. Implications, methodological considerations and future research were discussed, with the aim of improving experiences of individuals with TBI to reduce suicidality.

中文翻译：

---

颅脑创伤后自杀生活：定性研究。

目的

创伤性脑损伤（TBI）的数量正在增加，并且受伤后的自杀倾向是普通人群的3-4倍，因此了解这一点对于减少灾难性后果至关重要。由于缺乏文献资料，本研究调查了TBI后自杀自杀的经历。

方法

来自澳大利亚新南威尔士州（NSW）的脑损伤康复科（BIRU）的19名TBI参与者的访谈数据被收集并进行了专题分析。

发现

参与者（主要是男性）遭受了非常严重的伤害（中位PTA 60 [IQR 81.0]天），并且处于受伤后的慢性期（中位8.0 [IQR 9.0]年）。确定了六个主题。失去自我意识，作为隐性残疾的TBI，长期但短暂的自杀，依赖，保护因素和希望。确定了主题和子主题之间的暂时关系。

结论

无论是否获得长期支持，TBI后的慢性自杀性表现均一贯。但是，他们被确定参与了社会支持，灵性和积极个人品质等保护因素。在长期康复过程中将这些措施作为应对策略可以降低自杀困扰的水平。讨论了含义，方法学方面的考虑和未来的研究，目的是改善TBI患者的经验以减少自杀。