Background and focus of the study: Why study adults looking back at their childhood?

This research aims to understand how growing up with a sibling who suffered a serious brain injury during childhood affects other children in the family — particularly their relationship with their parents, how the family works together, and their own role in the family. By speaking with adults, the study can look at how the injury affected them both at the time and over the years — including how their relationships and family roles changed as they grew up. Most published research has only followed families for up to 18 months following brain injury, so little is known about the longer term impact on siblings.

 

What is involved in taking part?

There will be online interviews via Microsoft Teams. The interviews will last between 60-90 minutes. Participants can choose to have the interview split into more than one session if that works better for them. The interviews will be “semi-structured,” meaning there will be a list of questions to guide the conversation, but participants can speak freely and add details in their own way.

 

Participant criteria

• Adults (18+) who were between the ages of 4 and 16 when their brother or sister experienced a moderate or severe brain injury, such as encephalitis.
• All participants must have lived in the same house as their injured sibling and at least one parent when the injury happened.
• Primarily looking for participants living in the UK (interest from other countries are welcome, please get in touch with Hannah).

 

Interested in getting involved?

If you have any questions, or are interested in participating, please contact Hannah Copeland by emailing hc593@canterbury.ac.uk

Participants who are interviewed will receive a £10 Amazon voucher as a thank you for taking part.