The 2024 recipient of the Dr. Frederick P. Rivara Endowment is PhD candidate Premgamon Kuntajak, MS, RN, AGPCNP-BC, for her project titled, “Psychological Resilience among Older Adults following Mild-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Concurrent Explanatory Mixed Methods Study.”
Kuntajak’s study aims to explore how older adults recover mentally and emotionally after mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries (TBI), focusing on psychological resilience—the ability to adapt and recover from challenges.
Since older adults face worse recovery outcomes than younger individuals, the research will examine how resilience impacts physical and mental health, what factors influence resilience, and how older adults perceive their recovery journey. By combining data analysis with personal experiences, the study aims to create better interventions, policies, and community support systems to help older adults recover more effectively and inform future TBI research and care.
Kuntajak’s is a PhD candidate at the University of Washington’s School of Nursing. She will be mentored by HIPRC Core Faculty Member, Dr. Hilaire Thompson.
