Exploring Couples’ Relationships after Brain Injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Role of Social Cognition in Changes in Relationship Satisfaction and Relationship Continuity After Brain Injury.
IRAS ID
308894
Contact name
Lawson Falshaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research suggests some romantic relationships change after one partner acquires a brain injury. Certain social skills are key to these relationships, such as being able to recognise other people’s feelings from their facial expressions or inferring what is appropriate to say and do around other people in a given social situation. Research has shown that the brain facilitates these social abilities, collectively known as 'social cognition' which are key to navigating social interactions. Therefore, we might expect some people with damage to areas of the brain involved in social understanding and interaction to struggle to interpret the thoughts and feelings of their loved ones, disrupting their relationships with those closest to them. The current study aims to explore the impact of social cognition functioning on perceived change in relationship satisfaction post brain injury. Questionnaires into key social cognition abilities will be delivered in person or remotely to people with a brain injury and their partners. We expect social abilities to be challenging for survivors whose relationships have changed after their brain injury, and we expect certain aspects of social skills on the questionnaires will contribute to why relationships change after brain injury. Findings will support clinical assessment and relationship support for couples after brain injury.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NE/0176
Date of REC Opinion
26 Oct 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion