Towards an asset-based approach to promoting and sustaining well-being for people with aphasia and their families: an international exploratory study

Abstract

Background: There is growing interest in interventions that promote positive outcomes and well-being for people with aphasia (PWA) and their families, but provision is inconsistent.An asset-based approach, based on the theory of salutogenesis, focuses on what makes you well rather than ill. This approach has been used successfully across a variety of research fields, including health and social care research and practice, and has the potential to provide coherent strategies to support people living successfully with aphasia.Aim: To explore the relevance and potential of an asset-based approach to promoting and sustaining well-being for PWA and their families, across contexts and cultures.Methods: Exploratory case studies were carried out in the United Kingdom (UK), Norway, Israel, Ireland and Denmark in a variety of settings. Following an interpretative paradigm, we used qualitative methods including: interviews; appreciative inquiry; group discussions; and participatory action research. Ninety five PWA and 25 family members were asked to identify assets within themselves and their communities that promote, sustain and maintain 2 well-being, by responding to: "What makes you feel good / well / healthy?" Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Findings: An asset-based approach proved to be a powerful means for PWA and family members to explore what helps them live well with aphasia. Key themes were identified: 1) personal journey; 2) helping others; 3) connecting to self; 4) connecting to others; 5) recreation; and 6) personal attributes. Self-identification of assets, within the person and their community, and connections to these, helped PWA and their family members to maintain well-being, overcome barriers and regain confidence. Using this approach, focusing on the person's recognition, activation and mobilisation of assets, could enhance the person's understanding and restore meaning around the stroke and onset of aphasia.Conclusion: This novel exploratory research demonstrates the relevance and potential across diverse cultural contexts of taking an asset-based approach to promoting and sustaining wellbeing for PWA and their families. Focusing on maintaining connections to these assets and developing meaning around the event, could prevent some of the negative sequela of stroke.The 'patient-professional' relationship must transform into a collaborative partnership, with time and flexibility needed to introduce this approach. Further research should examine how service providers and PWA could develop and operationalise an asset-based approach in clinical and community settings and identify if there is an optimum timing for introducing this approach along the stroke pathway.

A randomised trial of social support group intervention for people with aphasia: A Novel application of virtual reality

“…Another thread that ran through the intervention was the identification of personal strengths, and reflection on how participants used these in their daily lives. This was in line with the principles of positive psychology and asset-based interventions [54][55][56]. For example, each session included a review activity at the end in which participants were asked to identify 'three good things' that had taken place.…”

The Vindication of Decoloniality and the Reality of COVID-19 as an Emergency of Unknown in Rural Universities

“…This will help them to discover and to make use of the available resources to empower themselves without relying on external or foreign assistance. These involved but not limited to; discovering their uniqueness, relying on their human capital such as talent, gift and capabilities, unity and networking among social groups to enhance that more opportunities are provided instead of focusing on their weaknesses (Shiggins, Soskolne, Olenik, Pearl, Haaland-Johansen, Isaksen, Jagoe, McMenamin, & Horton, 2020;Coleman, et al, 2020).…”

Development and preliminary validation of a patient-reported outcome measure for conversation partner schemes: the Conversation and Communication Questionnaire for People with Aphasia (CCQA)

“…This direction aligns with the widely accepted view that aphasia rehabilitation should focus on more than the impairment (e.g. Shiggins, Soskolne, Olenik, Pearl, Haaland-Johansen et al, 2018;Elman, 2016;Simmons-Mackie & Damico, 2007), providing, among other things opportunities to engage in authentic conversation and to develop social relationships (Elman, 2016). One such approach, the Conversation / Communication Partner (CP) Scheme, inspired by the pioneering work of Jon Lyon and colleagues (1997) was rolled out in the UK in 2001 by Connect, the communication disability network (see McVicker, Parr, Pound & Duchan, 2009).…”