Sexuality and Traumatic Brain Injury (Traumatic Brain Injury) (Report‪)‬

The following article is the tenth in a multi-part series on traumatic brain injury (TBI). This series is published by the Traumatic Brain Injury-Resource Optimization Center (TBI-ROC) and its Advisory Group, which is facilitated by JBS International, Inc. The TBI-ROC aims to be a recognized source and leader for advancing national attention to the myriad of policy, research, practice, and service needs supporting both civilian and military individuals who incur TBI and their families. Sexuality is a life affirming gift that has long been a source of concern and conflict for adolescents and young adults with disabilities. This challenge is faced every day by parents of youth with traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI potentially impacts behavioral, cognitive and physical functioning, all of which play a critical role in the development of intimate relationships and the experience of satisfying sexual expression. Brain injuries can directly impact sexuality through changes in neurochemistry and the endocrine system. Brain regions identified as vital participants in the brain's sexual underpinnings include the frontal system, limbic structures and temporal lobes (see TBI-ROC series article: Understanding Brain Injury: An Introduction). Research studies on adults with TBI report numerous findings regarding sexuality including: