Psychological adjustment in young adults following traumatic injury and Major Trauma (MT)

Introduction: Traumatic injury (TI) and major trauma (MT) are the leading cause of death
and disability in young adults (16-30 years old) living in the UK. Recent restructures in trauma care have led to improved survival rates and outcomes for trauma patients. However, psychological distress is common for survivors with many experiencing significant physical, psychological, and psychosocial challenges following hospital discharge. Currently, service providers are struggling to meet the demand of patients requiring specialist psychological input post-injury. Despite being disproportionately affected by TI and MT, research investigating psychological adjustment in young adults following TI is scarce. This research aims to address this, investigating psychological adjustment in young adults following TI and MT.

Method: An interpretative qualitative research design was employed, utilising semi
structured interviews to generate in-depth data regarding young adults’ experiences of
psychological adjustment to TI and MT. This research was conducted in Leeds, United
Kingdom, with 10 young adults (5 males, 4 females, and 1 agender) aged 20-29 years old
(mean=26 years old). Injury mechanisms included: road traffic collisions (n=4); sporting
injuries (n=3); pedestrian collision with a vehicle (n=2); fall from a height (n=1).

Results: The dataset was analysed utilising reflexive thematic analysis (TA; Braun & Clarke,
2013). Overall, six themes were generated: (1) able bodied to injured (and back again); (2)
independence: an integral part to becoming an adult; (3) my body is different now; (4) you’re young and fit, you’ll be fine; (5) living life through a new/different lens; (6) we are stronger than our injury/trauma.

Discussion: This research demonstrates that young adults navigate complex, multi-layered adjustment processes following TI and MT. Psychological adjustment was deeply embedded within personal, social, and societal contexts that young adults navigate as they adjust to their injured body. Various clinical implications for general trauma care and for specialist clinical psychology services when working with young adults following TI and MT.