"Violence isn't a simple thing": practitioner perspectives on the role of acquired brain injury in violence.

PURPOSE: Violent behaviour after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) contributes to adverse outcomes for survivors of ABI. Yet findings are mixed regarding injury-related health and social needs that increase violent behaviour after ABI. Practitioners who work with survivors of ABI have unique insight into service user needs, challenges, and outcomes. This study explored practitioner perspectives on the role of ABI in violent behaviour.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Eight individual semi-structured interviews were completed with health and social practitioners (6 male, 2 female).

RESULTS

The phenomenological analysis of participant perspectives indicated that ABI could heighten vulnerability to experiencing multiple unmet health and social needs that increase the risk of violent behaviour. However, participants were less aware of the specific impacts of ABI and overemphasised the role of personality and choice in committing violence. Participants with more extensive experience working with both ABI and violence demonstrated greater insight into the exacerbating influence of ABI on common predictors of violent behaviour (e.g. substance use).

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the exacerbating influence of ABI and the provision of appropriate support for health and social needs could prevent violent behaviour. This risk may further be reduced by the development of ABI-informed rehabilitation approaches and stronger service collaboration.