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Updated: Jan 12, 2026

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
"It feels like a loss of one's own identity" - Work identity in persons suffering persisting post-concussion
Hana Malá Rytter1,2,3, Sanae Attauabi1,4, Louise Schütt Hansen5
1Danish Concussion Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Purpose:
To examine the impact of persisting post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) on work identity, and to explore how work identity relates to the acceptance and coping mechanisms in individuals experiencing PPCS.
Methods:
Twenty-three in-depth semi-structured interviews with persons suffering from PPCS for > 6 months, who attempted to return to work within the last 6 months. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis combined with hermeneutical phenomenological approach.
Results:
We identified one global theme "Me and my work identity". Participants expressed a profound connection between work and self-understanding, leading to impact on personal identity when unable to perform at work. The global theme was unfolded in four themes: 1. Confronting a changed self: Participants described a discrepancy between their pre- and post-injury self-perception, leading to a sense of loss and lower self-worth. 2. Negotiating new realities: Some struggled to accept changes in capabilities and feared being perceived as inadequate. 3. Living with emotional turbulence: Coping with PPCS was characterized by emotional fluctuations, including frustration, sadness, guilt, and anxiety. 4. Navigating between worlds: Participants employed various coping strategies to manage symptoms and navigate challenges.
Conclusion:
The results highlight the profound impact of PPCS on individuals' work identity and emotional well-being during work resumption.
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