Research Article  |   April 2016
Loss of Financial Management Independence After Brain Injury: Survivors’ Experiences
Kathryn Koller; Lindsay Woods; Lisa Engel; Carolina Bottari; Deirdre R. Dawson; Emily Nalder
Author Affiliations
  • Kathryn Koller, MScOT, is Occupational Therapist, St. John’s Rehabilitation Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Lindsay Woods, MScOT, is Occupational Therapist, West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Lisa Engel, MScOT, is PhD candidate, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Carolina Bottari, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Université de Montréal, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Deirdre R. Dawson, PhD, OT Reg (Ont), is Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Senior Scientist, Rotman Resarch Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ddawson@research.baycrest.org
  • Emily Nalder, PhD, is March of Dimes Paul J. J. Martin Early Career Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Article Information
Neurologic Conditions / Traumatic Brain Injury / Special Issue: Research Articles
Research Article   |   April 2016
Loss of Financial Management Independence After Brain Injury: Survivors’ Experiences
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, April 2016, Vol. 70, 7003180070p1-7003180070p8. doi:10.5014/ajot.2016.020198
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, April 2016, Vol. 70, 7003180070p1-7003180070p8. doi:10.5014/ajot.2016.020198
Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This pilot study explored the experiences of brain injury survivors after a change in financial management (FM) independence.

METHOD. Using a qualitative descriptive design, 6 participants with acquired brain injury were recruited from a community brain injury organization and participated in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS. Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) trajectory of FM change, involving family members as key change agents; (2) current FM situation, involving FM strategies such as automatic deposits and restricted budgets; and (3) the struggle for control, in which survivors desired control while also accepting supports for FM.

CONCLUSION. This study identifies some of the challenges brain injury survivors face in managing their finances and the adjustment associated with a loss of FM independence. Occupational therapists should be aware of clients’ experiences when supporting them through a change in independence.