Snapshots of success: An insider perspective on living successfully with aphasia

Background: While the negative impact of aphasia has been the focus of much research, few studies have investigated more positive examples of people living with aphasia. Exploring the concept of living successfully with aphasia from an insider perspective can enhance current research by providing positively framed data that balance this negative skew. Collectively, the perspectives of people with aphasia on themes of importance for living successfully with aphasia may inform clinical interventions and other community-based services, enabling positive adaptive factors and processes identified in the research to be promoted and ultimately improving the quality of life for people with aphasia. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore, from the perspectives of people with aphasia, the meaning of living successfully with aphasia. Methods & Procedures: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 participants with aphasia. All participants had aphasia as a result of stroke, lived in the community, and were at least 2 years post-stroke. As an adjunct to the interview process participants were asked to take photographs of what living successfully with aphasia meant to them. These photographs formed the basis of discussion for a second interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (Smith, Jarman, & Osborn, 1999). Outcomes & Results: Analysis of participant transcripts revealed that the concept of living successfully with aphasia is complex, and highly individualised. Four core themes related to living successfully with aphasia emerged from the data: doing things; meaningful relationships; striving for a positive way of life; and communication. Conclusions: Research focusing on living successfully with aphasia challenges researchers and clinicians to focus on positive adaptive processes and factors. Further research is indicated to develop the concept of living successfully with aphasia further and explore how best to work in partnership with individuals with aphasia to ensure their priorities for living with aphasia are addressed.