VAGUE LANGUAGE USAGE IN ADULTS WITH SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Date of Award

Spring 2023

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Kathryn J Greenslade

Second Advisor

Kathryn J Greenslade

Third Advisor

Ramage E Amy

Abstract

Introduction: Pragmatic language disorders can result from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and impact use of precise language. Current literature has identified an increased rate of vague language use in adults with TBI compared to controls with no brain injury (NBI). This is the first study to create and apply a scale for rating vague language at the utterance level. Methods: A 3-point vague language scale was created and coders blindly scored 46 transcripts of adults with severe TBI and 46 transcripts of NBI controls, collected from the online database TalkBank. Because reliability was slightly below acceptable levels (76.17%), researchers consensus coded 100% of transcripts. Results: There is a significant difference in use of vague language in adults with severe TBI compared to NBI controls. Post-hoc analysis revealed that a significantly larger number of people in the TBI group scored one or more standard deviations below the mean compared to NBI controls. Discussion: People with severe TBI used more vague language compared to NBI controls. A significant difference was discovered between the number of people who scored at least one standard deviation below the mean in both groups. However, not all people with TBI presented with a cognitive communication disorder characterized by vague langue. More research should be completed to determine a sensitive and

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