Self-narrative following acquired brain Injury: an exploration of subjective, linguistic, and other associated factors
Date
2017-04-13
Authors
Jenni, Barbara
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Abstract
The re-creation of a holistic narrative that integrates the pre- and post-injury self is
integral to recovery following acquired brain injury (ABI). However, individuals may
struggle with deficits in linguistic skills required for narrative, along with reduced
functioning, feelings of grief, difficulties with cognition, and other communicative
challenges. This mixed-methods study analyzed data gathered from six non-aphasic adult
participants with ABI during semi-structured interviews and through assessments.
Thematic analyses showed that individuals experience a change in their sense of self prevs.
post-injury, reflected in their self-narratives, and that even clinically undiagnosed
changes in speech, language, and communication are impactful. Results from linguistic
analysis and assessments suggest a relationship among a person’s cognitive capacity,
his/her sense of loss, and pre- vs. post-injury narrative of self speech rates. Participants
spoke comparatively slower about their post-injury self, with those participants with
higher feelings of loss showing a reduction in their speech rates comparatively more.
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Keywords
Brain injury, Self-narrative, Psycholinguistics