ABSTRACT

Background

This research adds to the scarce literature regarding adolescent experiences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It uses a qualitative methodology to explore the symptoms experienced after sustaining a TBI at this unique stage of development including their persistence into adulthood.

Methods

Thirteen adults (aged 20–25 years; mean 23 years) who sustained a mild-moderate TBI during adolescence (aged 13–17 years at injury), approximately 7.7 years (range = 6.7–8.0 years) prior, participated in the research. Semi-structured individual interviews, analyzed using thematic analysis, explored participants’ experiences surrounding and following their TBIs.

Results

TBI during adolescence can result in significant acute symptoms, particularly headaches, fatigue, and difficulties in thinking. Participants’ descriptions of the extent and impact of these symptoms reflected feelings of frustration and often anxiety and/or depression. Difficulties could persist for years post-TBI and sometimes had not resolved at all.

Conclusions

Even mild TBI during adolescence can result in significant acute and ongoing symptoms, which can contribute to emotional distress in the long term.

中文翻译：

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你只有一个大脑。成人对青春期创伤性脑损伤后急性和持续症状体验的反思

摘要

背景

这项研究增加了关于青少年创伤性脑损伤 (TBI) 经历的稀缺文献。它使用定性方法来探索在这个独特的发展阶段维持 TBI 后所经历的症状，包括它们持续到成年期。

方法

13 名成年人（年龄 20-25 岁；平均 23 岁）在青春期（受伤时年龄为 13-17 岁），大约 7.7 年（范围 = 6.7-8.0 岁）之前，参与了这项研究。半结构化的个人访谈，使用主题分析进行分析，探索参与者围绕和跟随他们的 TBI 的经历。

结果

青春期的 TBI 会导致严重的急性症状，尤其是头痛、疲劳和思维困难。参与者对这些症状的程度和影响的描述反映了沮丧感，通常是焦虑和/或抑郁。TBI 后困难可能会持续数年，有时根本没有解决。

结论

即使是青春期轻微的 TBI 也会导致严重的急性和持续症状，从长远来看，这可能会导致情绪困扰。