Youth mentoring: A new holistic intervention targeting the needs of young persons with acquired brain injury
Lene Odgaard, Mette Ryssel Bystrup, Jørgen Feldbæk Nielsen, Henriette Holm Stabel- Occupational Therapy
Introduction:
Holistic rehabilitation approaches addressing the numerous complex challenges in young persons with acquired brain injury are required. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the holistic person-centered youth mentoring intervention program, which is based on occupational therapy.
Methods:
Prospectively collected data were extracted from a national clinical quality database ( n = 59). Proportions of young persons receiving different aspects of support and proportions rating the intervention as meaningful were calculated. One-year changes in occupation, work ability, and social interactions were calculated.
Results:
The young persons most frequently received support for energy management (75%) and structuring of everyday life (61%). Seventy-three percent rated the intervention as meaningful. One year post-inclusion, occupation and work ability had increased by 35% and 58%, respectively, and it had declined by 10% and 26%, respectively. The 1-year increase and decrease in social interactions were less clear (15% and 25%, respectively). One-year changes did not differ between those who entered the program early or late after injury indicating the potential beneficial effect of the program.
Conclusion:
The findings could indicate that the program has a unique value in supporting young persons with acquired brain injury to create a meaningful everyday life through occupation, work ability, and social interaction.