"Together is no longer completely together": Exploring the influence of social cognition problems on partner relationships following acquired brain injury.
Brenda van den Broek, Jorn Muskens, Caroline van Heugten and 2 others
PMID 39801297WHAT IT FOUND
Couples described social cognition problems after brain injury as making partners feel unheard and lonely, while the injured person felt insecure and ashamed.
Participants linked fatigue and overstimulation to more difficulty. Couples valued psychoeducation and strategies for managing conversations.
Key findings
01Most partners reported that social cognition problems made them feel disappointed, lonely, and sometimes question whether the relationship should continue.
02After becoming aware of their social cognition problems, individuals with acquired brain injury described shame, self-criticism, and insecurity in interactions.
03Participants described fatigue and sensory hypersensitivity as aggravating social cognition difficulties and relationship strain. Couples reported building in rest and reducing stimulation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study did not include couples who separated after brain injury, so it cannot speak to their experiences. The sample was relatively uniform in age and sexual orientation, so experiences may differ for other couples. Some couples reported minimal social cognition difficulties, so their views were less prominent in the themes. Some couples were interviewed consecutively by the same interviewer, so influence between interviews cannot be ruled out. The researchers did not use member checking, and quotes were translated from Dutch.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest and received no financial support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that any treatment improves relationships. The study is qualitative, included a small number of couples, and did not test outcomes. It describes experiences, not effects.