Social Network Structure in Young Stroke Survivors with Aphasia: A Case Series Report

Charles Ellis; Rhiannon Phillips; Tina Hill; Patrick M. Briley

doi:10.1055/s-0039-1688695

Seminars in Speech and Language, Table of Contents

Semin Speech Lang 2019; 40(05): 359-369
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688695

Review Article

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Social Network Structure in Young Stroke Survivors with Aphasia: A Case Series Report

Authors

Charles Ellis

¹Communication Equity and Outcomes Laboratory, College of Allied Health Sciences East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

²Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
Rhiannon Phillips

²Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
Tina Hill

³Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, North Carolina
Patrick M. Briley

¹Communication Equity and Outcomes Laboratory, College of Allied Health Sciences East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

²Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

Abstract

The aim of this study was to profile the social networks of young adult stroke survivors with aphasia. A case series approach using four persons with aphasia (PWA) younger than 50 years was utilized. Semistructured interviews were completed with the PWA and their primary caregiver/family to explore the most salient relationships in the PWA's social network. PWAs in this study exhibited very small social networks with the most salient relationships consisting of immediate family members. Mothers were the primary caregiver for the two most impaired PWA. Prestroke friendships were dissolved or reduced at the onset of aphasia. The most impaired PWAs spent most of their days in isolation without a consistent communication partner. This study suggests young adult stroke survivors with aphasia have significant changes in their social network structure after stroke, but it is unclear if the observed change in social network structure is more related to age or level of communication impairment.

Keywords

aphasia - social network - stroke

Full Text

References

References
1 Dhand A, Luke DA, Lang CE, Lee JM. Social networks and neurological illness. Nat Rev Neurol 2016; 12 (10) 605-612
2 Venna VR, Xu Y, Doran SJ, Patrizz A, McCullough LD. Social interaction plays a critical role in neurogenesis and recovery after stroke. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4: e351
3 Venna VR, McCullough LD. Role of social factors on cell death, cerebral plasticity and recovery after stroke. Metab Brain Dis 2015; 30 (02) 497-506
4 Boden-Albala B, Litwak E, Elkind MSV, Rundek T, Sacco RL. Social isolation and outcomes post stroke. Neurology 2005; 64 (11) 1888-1892
5 Glymour MM, Weuve J, Fay ME, Glass T, Berkman LF. Social ties and cognitive recovery after stroke: does social integration promote cognitive resilience?. Neuroepidemiology 2008; 31 (01) 10-20
6 Ellis C, Hardy RY, Lindrooth RC, Peach RK. Rate of aphasia among stroke patients discharged from hospitals in the United States. Aphasiology 2018; 32: 1075-1086
7 Simmons-Mackie N. Aphasia in North America. Available at: https://www.aphasiaaccess.org/white-paper . Accessed December 3, 2018
8 Cruice M, Worrall L, Hickson L. Quantifying aphasic people's social lives in the context of non-aphasic peers. Aphasiology 2006; 20: 1210-1225
9 Fotiadou D, Northcott S, Chatzidaki A, Hilari K. Aphasia blog talk: how does stroke and aphasia affect a person's social relationships?. Aphasiology 2014; 28: 1281-1300
10 Hilari K, Northcott S. Social support in people with chronic aphasia. Aphasiology 2006; 20: 17-36
11 Hilari K, Northcott S. “Struggling to stay connected”: comparing the social relationship of health older people and people with stroke and aphasia. Aphasiology 2017; 31: 674-687
12 Northcott S, Hilari K. Why do people lose their friends after a stroke?. Int J Lang Commun Disord 2011; 46 (05) 524-534
13 Northcott S, Hirani SP, Hilari K. A typology to explain changing social networks post stroke. Gerontologist 2018; 58 (03) 500-511
14 Northcott S, Marshall J, Hilari K. What factors predict who will have a stroke social network following a stroke?. J Speech Lang Hear Res 2016; 59 (04) 772-783
15 Northcott S, Moss B, Harrison K, Hilari K. A systematic review of the impact of stroke on social support and social networks: associated factors and patterns of change. Clin Rehabil 2016; 30 (08) 811-831
16 Vickers CP. Social networks after the onset of aphasia: the impact of aphasia group attendance. Aphasiology 2010; 24: 902-913
17 Cacioppo S, Capitanio JP, Cacioppo JT. Toward a neurology of loneliness. Psychol Bull 2014; 140 (06) 1464-1504
18 George MG, Tong X, Bowman BA. Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and strokes in younger adults. JAMA Neurol 2017; 74 (06) 695-703
19 Singhal AB, Biller J, Elkind MS. , et al. Recognition and management of stroke in young adults and adolescents. Neurology 2013; 81 (12) 1089-1097
20 Jaffre A, Ruidavets JB, Nasr N, Guidolin B, Ferrieres J, Larrue V. Tobacco use and cryptogenic stroke in young adults. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2015; 24 (12) 2694-2700
21 Maaijwee NA, Rutten-Jacobs LC, Schaapsmeerders P, van Dijk EJ, de Leeuw FE. Ischaemic stroke in young adults: risk factors and long-term consequences. Nat Rev Neurol 2014; 10 (06) 315-325
22 National Stroke Association. Young stroke survivors. 2012 . Available at: http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/impact-stroke/young-stroke-survivors . Accessed December 3, 2018
23 Martinsen R, Kirkevold M, Sveen U. Younger stroke survivors' experiences of family life in a long-term perspective: a narrative hermeneutic phenomenological study. Nurs Res Pract 2012;2012:11p, Article ID 948791
24 Charles ST, Carstensen LL. Social and emotional aging. Annu Rev Psychol 2010; 61: 383-409
25 Nissen T, Wynn R. The clinical case report: a review of its merits and limitations. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7: 264
26 Ellis C. Speech telerehabilitation after stroke: proof of concept and feasibility. Study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Grant #: 1 R03 HS025043–01A1. 2017
27 Kertesz A. The Western Aphasia Battery – Revised. Texas: Harcourt Assessments; 2006
28 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Outcomes Measurement System. Rockville, MD: National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders; 2012
29 Paul DR, Frattali CM, Holland A, Thompson CK, Caperton CJ, Slater SC. Quality of Communication Life Scale (ASHA QCL). Rockville, MD: American Speech Language Hearing Association; 2005
30 Wray F, Clarke D. Longer-term needs of stroke survivors with communication difficulties living in the community: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. BMJ Open 2017; 7 (10) e017944
31 Mazaux JM, Lagadec T, de Sèze MP. , et al. Communication activity in stroke patients with aphasia. J Rehabil Med 2013; 45 (04) 341-346
32 Caswell J. Coming home: when adult stroke survivors depend on their parents for care. Stroke Connection. 2014 ;Fall:8–10
33 Social Security Administration. Benefits Planner: Retirement. Available at: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/1943.html . Accessed April 12, 2019