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Personal narratives in aphasia: understanding narrative competence
Hanna K Ulatowska1, Belinda Reyes, Tricia Olea Santos
1School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas, Dallas, TX, USA.
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation
|January 24, 2013
Summary
Individuals with mild to moderate aphasia demonstrated narrative competence in personal storytelling. Their narratives showed good coherence and clarity, aiding in identity re-establishment post-stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Linguistics
- Psychology
Background:
- Personal narratives aid stroke survivors in identity re-establishment.
- Narrative competence is crucial for constructing coherent personal stories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe narrative competence in individuals with mild to moderate aphasia.
- To analyze coherence, clarity, temporal-causal structure, and reference in their narratives.
- To examine narrative strategies, topics, and themes.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen participants with mild to moderate aphasia related personal stories.
- Stories were elicited via a "willing listener" procedure.
- Quantitative and qualitative analyses assessed narrative elements and strategies.
Main Results:
- Most participants exhibited narrative competence.
- High coherence and clarity were noted, supported by language quantity and temporal-causal sequencing.
- Difficulties with reference were observed, but evaluative language strategies were utilized.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with mild to moderate aphasia display narrative competence in personal narratives.
- Personal narratives offer clinicians insight into aphasia and provide self-disclosure opportunities for patients.
- Understanding narrative competence is key for supporting stroke survivors' identity reconstruction.
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