ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the mother-son relationship of 13 mothers caring for single sons between the ages of 15 and 30 years who have higher brain dysfunction due to a traumatic brain injury. We aimed to elucidate the psychosocial adjustment process of mothers for 5 years following the injury to facilitate the social rehabilitation of both mother and son. Data obtained through a semistructured interview method were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. After 56 concepts were identified, 18 categories and then 8 core categories were semantically created. The 8 core categories were (a) avoid contact with son, (b) support son based on mother's own desire, (c) support son alone without external support, (d) realize mother's care limits and seek external support sources, (e) request and utilize external support, (f) support and work toward son's independence while monitoring his interactions with others, (g) mother considers own feelings and reenters society, and (h) strive for continued care of son with mother's acquired energy and efficient management skills. These were grouped into the following five stages: (a) avoidance, (b-c) closed, (d) support seeking, (e-f) withdrawal, and (g-h) reconstruction.