A thematic synthesis of parents’/carers’ perspectives regarding the development and content of interventions aimed at supporting children and young people with acquired brain injury and their families

Purpose: This review aims to synthesise published evidence on parents’/carers’ perspectives regarding the development and content of interventions for children and young people (CYP) with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families.

Materials and methods: A systematic review of qualitative and mixed-methods studies was conducted. Searches in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, OpenDissertations, AMED, and Scopus identified studies reporting parents’/carers’ perspectives on ABI interventions. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse findings, and study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. 

Results: Thirteen studies were included. Two overarching themes were identified: 1) Feeling supported, highlighting the importance of emotional reassurance, peer connections, and sustained access to support; and 2) Being equipped to navigate the complexities of ABI recovery, highlighting the need for accessible, structured, and culturally responsive interventions to help families navigate ABI recovery. Parents/carers valued flexible, inclusive, and tailored interventions that adapted to their evolving needs. 

Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of interventions that provide both emotional and practical support while remaining accessible and responsive to diverse family circumstances. These insights contribute to the development of family-centred rehabilitation programmes that enhance parent/carer wellbeing and engagement in CYP’s recovery.