Living with acquired brain injury (ABI) in Costa Rica during the COVID-19 pandemic : narratives and adjustments in psychosocial adversity = Viviendo con daño cerebral adquirido (DCA) en Costa Rica durante el COVID-19 : narrativas y ajustes en la adversidad psicosocial

The COVID-19 pandemic led to global restrictions, and social distancing was prevalent until global vaccination became available. Lower-income countries like Costa Rica faced uncertainties and socioeconomic inequalities that strained the health system (Rojas & Romero, 2022). The economic and social challenges also affected mental health, with increasing reports of fear, anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness, alongside limited access to medical services (Dean et al., 2021).

Reports of experiences with specific clinical samples, such as individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) during the pandemic, are limited and cannot be assumed to be uniform across different cultural contexts. Therefore, this descriptive study utilized an exploratory approach to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as an adverse psychosocial situation for individuals with ABI, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals in Costa Rica, a country characterized by a proximal or collectivistic culture. The study aimed to explore the influence of cultural factors as a potential protective element in their perceived experiences during the pandemic. It employed a qualitative phenomenological design (Cresswell, 2013), focusing on individuals' self-narratives, perspectives, experiences, perceptions, and observations of their daily lives (Douglas, 2021). The study also measured perceived fear during COVID-19 (Jurado-Solórzano et al., 2024), changes in daily life, changes in social relationships, and perceived changes in individuals.