Women’s Self-Concept, Sexual Activity, and Intimacy After Sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a profound impact on how people think and feel about themselves and their abilities, values, goals, personalities, physical characteristics, and roles. Preliminary research findings suggest that barriers to developing a positive self-concept after injury in women include the desire to be perceived as “normal” after the injury or the feeling that society dismisses their injuries. In the field of occupational therapy, it is critical that therapists and researchers understand that self-concept can be altered after sustaining a TBI. This outcome can have a significant impact on participation in valued occupations, including participation in sexual activity and intimacy. There is a need for further research, education, and practice initiatives that explore women’s self-concept after TBI and the relationship between self-concept and sexuality. Through these explorations, occupational therapists can better understand how to address sexual activity and intimacy in this population.

Keywords

• intimate partner relationships
• self-concept
• sexual activity
• traumatic brain injury
• women