Using Digital Technology to Stay Connected With Friends After Aphasia

Digital domains are becoming increasingly important in creating and sustaining relationships. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in maintaining friendships for people with aphasia. Understanding how people with aphasia use ICT (e.g., smartphones, social media platforms) to stay connected is critical to developing components of clinical interventions focused on social relationships.

Data were collected from a larger qualitative research project and included semistructured interviews about friendship maintenance and aphasia. Participants included 27 people with aphasia, eight significant others, and nine friends of people with aphasia. Data were analyzed according to inductive thematic analysis.

The majority (> 90%) of participants emphasized the importance of ICT in maintaining friendships. Three themes were generated from the analysis: (a) flexibility is a core component of technology use, (b) the role of technology in identity negotiation, and (c) technology as a lifeline.

Findings indicate that ICT has a vital role in helping people with aphasia maintain friendships. Themes generated highlight important aspects that may be ignored in the rehabilitation process, such as the need for flexibility, the importance of identity negotiation in online spaces, and the need for training and support in digital technology use. These findings have clinical and research implications that can be further developed to help people with aphasia maintain friendships.