Background: Traumatic brain injury often have major consequences for the individual affected, since severe traumatic brain injury often leads to long-term physical, cognitive, social and behavioral deficits. These impairments affect the patient's participation in the decision-making process during the admission to a rehabilitation department and relatives become important participants as a proxy to advocate for patients. However, studies have shown that this is complex because of differing understandings of the meaning of involvement as well as diverse needs to be involved. 
Aims and objective: We explored the experience of the rehabilitation process from the perspectives of relatives of patients with a severe traumatic brain injury. The aim of the study was to identify relatives’ strategies and practices in the rehabilitation process as seen in their meetings with providers. 
Design: A longitudinal study with a qualitative approach, drawing on the theory of Pierre Bourdieu. Methods: Data were generated using participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Participants were eleven relatives of patients with a severe traumatic brain injury, followed through in-patient rehabilitation varying from nine to twelve weeks. Analysis was undertaken using both an inductive and deductive approach. 
Findings: Drawing on Bourdieu’s concept of strategy, three relative positions were identified, the warrior, the observer and the hesitant. These positions illustrate how different positions and related dispositions of relatives influence their strategies. Differences were evident in how relatives act, participate and relate to both the patient and the providers during rehabilitation. 
Conclusions: It is of utmost importance that providers are able to differentiate relatives’ need for information, support and involvement. Knowledge about the three related positions offers a way of thinking that can help clinicians reflect on their own practice.

Relatives´ strategies in sub-acute brain injury rehabilitation: the warrior, the observer and the hesitant