P15.05.A EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF BRAIN TUMOR-RELATED VIOLENT BEHAVIOR ON NEXT-OF-KIN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract BACKGROUND There is a significant knowledge gap regarding violence associated with somatic illnesses, such as brain tumors. While rare case reports exist in the literature, numerous testimonies from members of the Swedish Brain Tumor Association describe cases where next-of-kin have been subjected to severe violence by individuals with brain tumors. Both in Sweden and internationally, research is scarce on how next-of-kin experience and are affected by violence when the perpetrator is suffering from a brain tumor. Moreover, there are no established guidelines for how support should be provided to this group of victims, whose circumstances often fall outside the traditional frameworks of the legal system, social services, and healthcare. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Swedish national project BRAVE: Brain Tumor Related Aggression and Violence Exposure comprises qualitative studies, the first aimed to explore the experiences and support needs of next-of-kin who have been exposed to violence by a person suffering from glioma. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted. The participants were asked to share their experiences and to describe what support they had received and/or would have needed from healthcare services, social services, authorities, and third parties. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The analysis highlights the importance of healthcare providers understanding patients within their broader social and relational contexts, as well as the significance of continuity of care, which was highly valued by the participants. They also pointed out that the patients’ autonomy was often prioritized over the next-of-kin’s safety and well-being. While respecting confidentiality, they noted that healthcare’s sometimes rigid interpretations of these rules prevented them from sharing their experiences and potentially receiving support. Their support needs varied and evolved over time, highlighting the importance of customized information, practical assistance, and peer support. CONCLUSION This study provides insights into how support can be tailored for both patients and next-of-kin when personality changes caused by a brain tumor lead to violent situations. The results point to an urgent need for better support, tailored to the individual and their context.