Abstract
M.A.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its sequelae pose many challenges, not only to the injured
individual, but also to all involved in his or her life. The effects of TBI on the family of the
injured individual is a well-documented phenomenon, as is the experience of the injured
individual’s siblings post-TBI. This qualitative, phenomenological study explores the
phenomenon of the sibling relationship post TBI, from the perspective of the injured
individual. There is limited literature available documenting the sibling relationships as
experienced by the injured individual post TBI. Descriptions of such experiences were
sourced from interviews conducted with each of the three participants. Through the
interpretation of each transcript, themes were identified. Although similarities were found
across the participants’ descriptions, the distinctiveness of each individual’s experience was
acknowledged. Common themes found in this study were alterations in the sibling
relationship, feeling alone as a consequence of not being understood and the experience of
emotional reactions at the alterations in the sibling relationship. Other commonalities across
participants were the experience of jealousy in the sibling relationship, expectations
pertaining to familial roles and a change in self-concept post TBI. Through giving expression
to the injured individual in terms of his or her experience of the sibling relationship post TBI,
an awareness of the impact of traumatic brain injury on the sibling relationship is fostered.