Graduation Year
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Major Professor
Hana Kim, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Chih-Chin Chou, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Aimee Dietz, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Hyejin Park, Ph.D.
Keywords
communication disorders, life participation, speech-language pathology, strategies, stroke rehabilitation, workplace reintegration
Abstract
Return-to-work (RTW) is an important aspect of social participation and quality of life following stroke. However, limited research has explored the experiences of individuals with mild aphasia in the RTW process. This purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how individuals with post-stroke mild aphasia perceive their ability to RTW and identify factors that influence this process. Ten adults with mild or very mild aphasia participated in individual semi- structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: (1) Barriers to RTW, (2) Facilitators to RTW, and (3) Perceptions of Recovery and Rehabilitation. Each major theme encompassed a variety of subthemes. Findings suggested that RTW for individuals with mild aphasia is a complex, multidimensional process shaped by interactions among personal, workplace, and systemic factors. These results highlight the importance of participation-focused rehabilitation and may inform clinical practices aimed at supporting vocational reintegration for people with mild aphasia.
Scholar Commons Citation
Berro, Maya, "When “Mild” Isn’t Minor: Return-to-Work Challenges in Post-Stroke Mild Aphasia" (2026). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/11243
