Volume 15, Number 2, Summer 2020Racial Disparities in the Effects of Post-Stroke Isolation: The Unintended Consequences of Social Distancing on Adults with Communication Deficits AUTHOR:
ABSTRACT This study investigated the prevalence and severity of depression among individuals with chronic communication disorders (CCDs). The study was designed to examine disparities among racial and ethnic groups who are traditionally less likely to receive mental health services. Evidence informs the unintended impact of social distancing on individuals with CCDs. Chi-squared tests and ordered logistic regression models evaluated the association severity of depression, chronic communication disorders and race/ethnicity controlling for income, insurance and demographic characteristics. Results indicated that individuals with CCDs have significantly higher levels of depression than those without CCD. African Americans with CCD have higher levels of depression than other CCD groups. Individuals with insurance, higher income, larger households and who see a speech pathologist or therapist had significantly lower depression levels. This study found a higher prevalence of depression among African Americans living with chronic communication disorders. Recently issued “shelter-in-place” directives forcing Americans to isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19, have heightened the risk of depression among racial-ethnic minorities living with CCD. Combined with the innate tendency for individuals with CCD to be isolated from society, clinicians should take additional measures to ensure persons with aphasia (PWA), particularly those from racial-ethnic minority backgrounds, are monitored closely to ensure they maintain stable emotional well-being. DOI:
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