Relationship-centered communication training (Pertab et al., 2024)
Creators: name: Pertab, Kathryn-Anne
name: Harmon, Tyson G.
name: Sandberg, Jonathan
name: Pertab, Jon L.
name: Evans, William S.
Publisher: name: ASHA journals
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 420110
subject: Speech pathology
classificationCode: 320905
subject: Neurology and neuromuscular diseases
classificationCode: 470101
subject: Communication studies

description: <b>Purpose:</b> This study explored the acceptability and impact of relationship-centered communication partner training (RC-CPT) in couples impacted by aphasia. In particular, couples considered whether discussing their relationship roles and responsibilities was important and relevant to the changes they desire. Preliminary quasi-experimental data regarding perceived communication confidence and the marriage relationship were also obtained.<b>Method:</b> Three couples participated in RC-CPT across two sessions. Surveys were used to measure communication confidence and the marital relationship before and after participation in RC-CPT. The quantitative findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Couples also participated in a semistructured interview about the acceptability of RC-CPT during a third session. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using reflexive codebook analysis.<b>Results:</b> Quantitative data indicated that participants generally maintained or improved self-rated accessibility, responsiveness, engagement, conflict resolution, and communication within their marriage after participating in RC-CPT. Additionally, individuals with aphasia demonstrated enhanced communication confidence scores. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: (a) Impact on Communication, (b) Impact on Relationship, and (c) Impact on Psychosocial Well-Being. Feedback from participants regarding future development was also included.<b>Conclusions:</b> The convergence of quantitative and qualitative data supports the conclusion that couples experienced positive changes in their communication, relationship, and psychosocial well-being during the intervention, suggesting that RC-CPT has the potential to positively impact both communicative and psychosocial effects of aphasia on couples. Moreover, this study highlights the promise of RC-CPT as a relationship-centered counseling tool, warranting further exploratory and experimental research.<b>Supplemental Material S1.</b> Communication partner training module protocol.<b>Supplemental Material S2.</b> Communication partner training module.<b>Supplemental Material S3.</b> Communication partner training module worksheet.<b>Supplemental Material S4.</b> Relationship-centered communication partner training protocol.<b>Supplemental Material S5.</b> Relationship-centered communication partner training protocol visuals.<b>Supplemental Material S6. </b>Relationship roles questionnaire: clinician form.<b>Supplemental Material S7. </b>Relationship roles questionnaire: example of visual supports for response scales. Note that additional visual supports were provided that are not depicted here.<b>Supplemental Material S8.</b> Relationship roles questionnaire: partner form.<b>Supplemental Material S9.</b> Relationship roles questionnaire: worksheet.<b>Supplemental Material S10.</b> Relationship roles questionnaire: worksheet visuals.<b>Supplemental Material S11.</b> Semistructured interview guide.Pertab, K.-A., Harmon, T. G., Sandberg, J., Pertab, J. L., &amp; Evans, W. S. (2024). The acceptability of relationship-centered communication partner training for couples impacted by aphasia: A mixed-methods pilot investigation. <i>American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology</i>, <i>33</i>(6S), 3203–3217. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_AJSLP-23-00348<b>Publisher Note: </b>This article is part of the Special Issue: Select Papers From the 52nd Clinical Aphasiology Conference.