Abstract
Objectives: Returning to work after having experienced a brain injury poses difficulties for people who have undergone this traumatic experience. Research in general and into brain injury in particular has neglected to address the social aspects of experiencing a brain injury and returning to work. This research aimed to offer a qualitative perspective into the area of research into brain injury and returning to work. The objective was to acknowledge the voices of people who have experienced a brain injury and their experiences of returning to work. Methods: Four participants took part in the research and encouraged to narrate their experiences. A narrative approach to data analysis was employed to examine the data. Results: Results indicate that there is variability in the psychological process that each individual goes through after their brain injury; all participants experienced their trauma and the consequent symptoms differently. However, some commonalities arose when participants referred to their return to work: a number of external and internal factors, which include social environment, self perceptions, support and nature of the job, were described as influencing their decision of returning to work and the experience of work itself. Conclusions: Returning to work after experiencing a brain injury is a process that engages the self with its social environment and the work environment. Society and science need to pay attention to the voices of the individuals and the stories they share about themselves and their experiences. It is hoped that by identifying the elements that influence the return to employment, vocational rehabilitation services and organisations can become more person-tailored and flexible to each person’s situation.