Social and Romantic Relationships and Sexual Health: A qualitative exploration of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Research Objectives: To assess social relationships, dating, and sexual health in individuals who have experienced a TBI. Individuals face a variety of effects after TBI, which can alter their ability to interact with others in the same way as prior to their injury. This study assesses how TBI affects social relationships, dating, and sexual health for individuals with TBI.

Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.

Setting: Community-based individuals with TBI in the New York Tri-State area.

Participants: This study utilized 22 interviews from individuals with TBI conducted during a previous analysis assessing TBI as a chronic disease. Interviewees’ average age was 45 representing a range in injury severities (nine severe, eight moderate, five complicated mild). This study aimed to document how individuals with TBI navigate changes and barriers faced with interpersonal relationships (e.g., family, friends, significant others), dating, and sexual health post-injury.

Interventions: N/A

Main Outcome Measures: Qualitative individual experiences noting changes in social relationships, dating, and sexual health post-TBI.

Results: Twenty-two participants identified alterations in social relationships overall, with a subset noting challenges specific to dating and sexual health. Preliminary thematic analysis revealed the following themes: 1) Friendships from pre-injury were lost or declined due to the communication and socializing needed to maintain them; 2) Neurofatigue makes it difficult to date and connect; 3) Difficulties related to close others’ lack of understanding about TBI challenges; and 4) Sexual health declines both physically and emotionally between romantic partners.

Conclusions: TBI is often referred to as “an invisible illness”. The expanded support networks of individuals with TBI may not comprehend the associated deficits, which can lead to a decline in quality of friendships or romantic partnerships and pose challenges when dating. The post-TBI emotional, mental, and physical changes can also alter sexual relationships. This data indicates a need for increased awareness of the effects of TBI among the general population and for providers to discuss the injury’s potential implications on social relationships, dating, and sexual health.

Author(s) Disclosures: N/A