Enhancing self-advocacy and managing risks in complex interpersonal relationships after acquired brain injury.

People with acquired brain injury (ABI) often experience cognitive and psychosocial challenges that make navigating intimate and professional relationships difficult. Despite intimate relationships being a core contributor to quality of life, people with ABI often struggle with positive and safe dating. They can also find it difficult to navigate professional boundaries with support staff. As a result, vulnerability to exploitation, unsafe practices, and relational breakdowns may be prevalent. This project aims to strengthen relational wellbeing and safety by co-designing practical resources with people with lived experience of ABI and their support workers. The project will involve qualitative interviews with individuals with ABI and support staff to explore needs, risks, and strategies relating to dating and professional support relationships. Insights will then inform a co-design process involving focus groups to develop accessible, evidence-based resources, and co-design evaluation methodology. Students will collaborate with co-design contributors with ABI and partnering disability organisations. The project is suitable for a PhD student in either Clinical Neuropsychology or Clinical Psychology.