Social supports

7.2 Connections with appropriate social supports should be facilitated for people with aphasia and their families.

Reference: Attard et al., 2015: Narrative review; Brown et al., 2012: Qualitative meta-synthesis; Hilari, 2011: Non-randomised observational study; Hilari et al., 2021: RCT; Lanyon et al., 2013: Systematic review of 29 studies (12 pre-post test case series, 10 single-case design studies, 4 RCTs, 3 non-randomised controlled trials); Robinson et al., 1999: Non-randomised observational study; Salter et al., 2010: Systematic review of 10 RCTs; Thomas & Lincoln, 2008: Non-randomised observational study.
NHMRC level of Evidence: I

Rationale: The presence of social supports and contacts is essential for individuals facing considerable life changes following a stroke event (Robinson et al., 1999). People with aphasia often report losing friendships (Brown et al., 2012). Developing new friendships can contribute to living successfully with aphasia (Brown et al., 2012), and improvement of available social support may help to prevent social isolation and reduce or prevent the distress and post-stroke depression (Hilari, 2011; Hilari et al., 2021; Salter et al., 2010; Thomas & Lincoln, 2008).

Appropriate supports may include:
●       peer befriending services (Hilari et al., 2021).
●       community-based groups for people with aphasia and their families. For example,
         conversation groups, peer support groups, arts and leisure groups (Attard et al.,
          2015; Lanyon et al., 2013),
●       Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (National Aboriginal
         Community Controlled Health Organisation, n.d.),
●       local and national advocacy organisations (e.g., The AAA),
●       aphasia research organisations, and
●       university-based aphasia clinics.

 References:

1. Attard, M.C., Lanyon, L., Togher, L., & Rose, M.L. (2015). Consumer perspectives on community aphasia groups: A narrative literature review in the context of psychological well-being. Aphasiology, 29(8), 983-1019. DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2015.1016888
2. Brown, K., Worrall, L. E., Davidson, B., & Howe, T. (2012). Living successfully with aphasia: A qualitative meta-analysis of the perspectives of individuals with aphasia, family members, and speech-language pathologists. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 14(2), 141–155. https://doi.org/10.3109/17549507.2011.632026
3. Hilari, K. (2011). The impact of stroke: Are people with aphasia different to those without? Disability and Rehabilitation, 33(3), 211-218. DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2010.508829
4. Hilari, K., Behn, N., James, K., Northcott, S., Marshall, J., Thomas, S., Simpson, A., Moss, B., Flood, C., McVicker, S., & Goldsmith, K. (2021). Supporting wellbeing through peer-befriending (SUPERB) for people with aphasia: A feasibility randomised controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35(8), 1151-1163. DOI: 10.1177/0269215521995671
5. Lanyon,  L. E., Rose, M. L., & Worrall, L. (2013). The efficacy of outpatient and community-based aphasia group interventions: a systematic review. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 15(4), 359-374. DOI: 10.3109/17549507.2012.752865
6. Robinson, R. G., Murata, Y., & Shimoda, K. (1999). Dimensions of social impairment and their effect on depression and recovery following stroke. International Psychogeriatrics, 11(4). doi: 10.1017/s1041610299005992
7. Salter, K., Foley, N., & Teasell, R. (2010). Social support interventions and mood status post stroke: A review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47, 616-625. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.00
8. Thomas, S. A. & Lincoln, N. B. (2008). Predictors of Emotional Distress After Stroke. Stroke (1970), 39(4), 1240–1245. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.498279