New book - A Sociological Approach to Acquired Brain Injury and Identity
This new book comes from CPN member Dr Jonathan Harvey. Jonathan is a brain injury survivor and a social scientist who specialises in neurological rehabilitation. Jonathan recently completed a PhD at the Open University (2015), entitled ‘Navigating the complexities of acquired brain injury: theorising everyday activities in identity (re)construction’.
Inspired by the author’s own personal experience of sustaining acquired brain injury (ABI), this path-breaking book explores the (re)construction of identity after ABI. It offers a way of understanding ABI through a social scientific lens, promoting an understanding that is generated through close engagement with the lives and experiences of ABI survivors.
The author follows the every-day experiences of six male survivors and critically investigates their identity (re)construction after their ABI. As well as demonstrating identity (re)construction after ABI, the experiences of the participants allow the reader to investigate neurological rehabilitation from their perspective. This book suggests that rehabilitation after ABI is often a continual process that extends beyond the formal, medically prescribed period. It also shows that identity after ABI is often (re)constructed in an unpredictable way; a way that emphasises the importance of reciprocal support and the uncertainty of future life.
A Sociological Approach to Acquired Brain Injury and Identity is essential reading for professionals, academics and students with an interest in traumatic brain injury and the process of neurological rehabilitation.
Chapters are as follows:
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. A clinical introduction to acquired brain injury and rehabilitation
Chapter 3. Mapping the terrain: theorising my identity (re)construction after ABI
Chapter 4. Researching the everyday complexities of the lives of ABI survivors
Chapter 5. Dependence, independence and interdependence in the lives of ABI survivors
Chapter 6. Exploring time in ABI rehabilitation: towards a rehabilitation imagination?
Chapter 7. Critical reflections
You can find out more about the book here.