Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Educational Studies
First Advisor
Ryan Carlson
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects individuals and their romantic relationships, creating barriers to help-seeking and impacting relational health. Despite evidence supporting the benefits of couples counseling and relationship education, stigma and motivational factors influence engagement in these services. This dissertation examines the interdependent processes of help-seeking, motivation, and relationship satisfaction in couples where one partner has experienced a TBI. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM), two studies explore (1) the role of self-stigma in help-seeking and motivation for completing a relationship education program, and (2) the influence of self-stigma for help-seeking on motivation in couples services, particularly in the context of TBI. Study one, based on data from 282 couples, investigated the effect of self-stigma for help-seeking on motivation to complete a relationship education program across online and in-person service modalities. Results revealed that self-stigma negatively influences motivation, with notable partner effects. Study two examined 160 couples in which one partner has a history of TBI, focusing on the intersection of stigma, relationship quality, and motivation. Findings highlighted the differences in relationship satisfaction and provides support for future examinations of help- seeking stigma.
Rights
© 2025, Violet Hodge
Recommended Citation
Hodge, V.(2025). Help-Seeking, Motivation, and Partner Interactions in Couples Affected by Tramatic Brain Injury. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/8455