1535 - Social and Romantic Relationships and Sexual Health: A qualitative exploration of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Objectives: To assess social relationships, dating, and sexual health in individuals who have experienced a TBI.

Design: This is a mixed-method study with qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews utilizing thematic analysis by two independent coders. Participants were recruited for the study through various methods, including community outreach, media and flyers, and referrals in the New York tristate area. A total of 22 individual interviews were conducted. Participants were primarily from a racial minority group (63.6%), spoke English (81.8%) or Spanish (18.2%), and the average age was 45.1 (SD=15.8). Injury severity ranged from complicated mild (22.7%), moderate (36.4%), and severe (40.9%). Our main outcome measures included the qualitative interviews, specifically focusing on how TBI may have impacted interpersonal relationships and sexual health using a deductive and inductive thematic analysis approach.

Results: Twenty-two participants identified alterations in social relationships overall, with a subset noting challenges specific to dating and sexual health. Preliminary thematic analysis revealed the following themes: 1) Friendships from preinjury were lost or declined due to the communication and socializing needed to maintain them; 2) Neurofatigue makes it difficult to date and connect; 3) Difficulties related to close others’ lack of understanding about TBI challenges; and 4) Sexual health declines both physically and emotionally between romantic partners.


Conclusions: TBI is often referred to as “an invisible illness”. The expanded support networks of individuals with TBI may not comprehend the associated deficits, which can lead to a decline in quality of friendships or romantic partnerships and pose challenges when dating. The post-TBI emotional, mental, and physical changes can also alter sexual relationships. This data indicates a need for increased awareness of the effects of TBI among the general population and for providers to discuss the injury’s potential implications on social relationships, dating, and sexual health.