Abstract

This study explored posttraumatic growth (PTG) in people with aphasia and is the qualitative arm of a larger mixed-methods study. After an initial experimental session, 23 people with aphasia (PWA; 12 females and 11 males) completed a 60-minute semi-structured interview during which participants expanded on previously-given questionnaire responses and then answered five additional open-ended questions about communication in their daily life. Interviews were transcribed orthographically and coded using reflexive codebook analysis. A stakeholder with aphasia was consulted to gain insight from an insider's perspective about whether codes and themes captured the experiences of aphasia. Reflexive codebook analysis revealed two themes. Within the first theme, "Recovery is a Journey," there were two categories: "Moving Toward Growth" and "Engagement." The second theme, "Having Aphasia is Challenging, but I've Grown," included four categories: "Challenges and Reactions," "Perception of Self," "General Philosophy of Life," and "Relatedness." Findings suggest that PWA experience PTG across all three primary domains: (1) changed perception of self, (2) changed relationship with others, and (3) changed general philosophy of life and that the challenging circumstances associated with aphasia were integral to the development of PTG. Findings also highlight that PTG does not necessarily develop in a linear trajectory for PWA, but that processes such as acceptance and slowing down may contribute to the development of PTG in this population. Future research should quantitatively investigate the trajectory of PTG for PWA, assess interventions that may facilitate PTG, and examine how PTG contributes to overall recovery.

Degree

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Communication Disorders

Rights

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