B – 55 Sociocultural Factors Impacting Neurorehabilitation in a Mexican American Navy Veteran with Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Case Study

Abstract Objective After sustaining a traumatic brain injury, Hispanic-Latinx individuals are far less probable in comparison to White individuals to obtain neurorehabilitation and have lower levels of functioning. Furthermore, after receiving treatment, Hispanic-Latinx individuals’ lasting outcomes have been found to be noticeably worse than their White counterparts. This study aims to raise awareness and provide an understanding of the experiences of an individual from a Mexican background and lower socioeconomic status, as well as how he navigated obtaining neurorehabilitation. Method The study presents a case of a Mexican cis-gender male, Navy veteran who sustained two concussions while active duty. The researcher conducted an individual semi-structured interview to learn more about the participant’s perspective and experiences. Results Five themes were identified: stigma, work mentality, treatment obstacles, support, and socioeconomic status. The results highlighted treatment disparities that contributed to prolonged post-concussive symptoms, specifically within the context of the military. Additionally, stigma within his ethnic background was an influential factor to his overall treatment. Moreover, after retiring from the Navy, he started to receive disability and consistent treatment, which has helped mitigate the financial impacts of receiving neurorehabilitation and improve his post-concussive symptoms. Conclusion This case study adds more depth in understanding of the effects of sociocultural factors on the experiences of ethnically diverse individuals receiving neurorehabilitation. It is imperative neuropsychologists are aware of these factors that influence concussion recuperation. Future studies should include multiple socioeconomic status and ethnically diverse backgrounds to explore differences across various factors that impact individuals seeking and engaging in neurorehabilitation.