Assessing Depression and its Correlates Among Post-stroke Survivors with Aphasia in Sri Lanka

This study attempted to identify the individuals with depression among people with aphasia, to understand the influence of socio-demographic factors on depression, and to understand the relationship PSD has with language impairment and physical disability. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 78 participants recruited from three hospital-based speech and language therapy clinics in Sri Lanka. Sinhala Language Aphasia Assessment, Peradeniya Depression Scale, and Barthel Index were used to measure language skills, depression symptoms, and physical disability. From the sample, 25.6% (n  = 20) were having depression. Among them 20% (n = 4) were in acute, 40% (n = 8) were in sub-acute and 40% (n = 8) were in chronic stages of recovery. According to the statistical tests, age, sex, financial state, and level of education showed no significant influence on their depres sion scores. Furthermore, depression showed no significant correlation with language impairment-related communication disability or physical disability.
Source: Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research