[Perceived needs and social participation of people with mild traumatic brain injury]. / Besoins perçus et participation sociale des personnes ayant un traumatisme crânien léger.

INTRODUCTION: Only limited data are available concerning the perception of quality of life and social participation of people with mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). The APIC personalized community integration support programme encourages people with TBI to achieve significant daily living or leisure activities. OBJECTIVES: To explore the social participation needs and expectations of people with mTBI. METHODS: 1) Qualitative multiple-case study; 2) Questionnaires based on Assessment of Activities of Daily Living Profile, Leisure Profile and Life Habits in the form of semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Participants reported deterioration of their quality of life after the accident, especially affecting leisure activities and social role. They would like to have someone to help reduce their loneliness, reassure them and motivate them to start changing their lives. DISCUSSION: Unlike the main interventions provided by the social welfare and healthcare system and relatives, people with mTBI express the need for reassuring activities in public places to help them regain their social role and accept their new identity.