Stumblers and Tumblers: Two Pathways to “Unintentional” Fall-Related Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussion, is the commonest neurological condition in high-income countries and is the second commonest condition next to migraines. Although most of these injuries are unintentional, substance abuse and age-related physiological factors have been implicated as causal factors of fall-related TBIs. Our study used qualitative methods and a life course perspective to examine whether life events and psychosocial antecedents, such as early adverse childhood experiences, play a role in the occurrence of non-intentional fall-related TBI. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 patients who sustained a TBI due to unintentional falls. Transcripts were qualitatively analyzed to explore factors related to their prior life experiences that may have been related to the reasons that led to their falls. The results reveal that childhood family conflict and peer-influenced risky behaviors may have contributed to poorer mental and physical health in adulthood, which in turn contributed to injuries. Respondents whose behaviors did not play a direct role in their injury event were labeled “Stumblers.” These patients' falls were seen as being related to unfortunate unique environmental and situational factors and could colloquially be described as “accidental falls.” We also identified a distinct group of patients who had a cumulative life experience starting in early childhood that contributed to a pattern of riskier behaviors, ultimately culminating in a fall-related TBI. The second group of patients were labeled “Tumblers” as they chose to participate in risky activities, regardless of whether they considered them to be risky, which ultimately led to the fall-related TBI. This group was identified by a purposeful volitional state that sought out the “opportunity for accidental fall.” Childhood family conflict and peer-influenced risky behaviors were important precursors to mental and physical health states in this group.