JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) report fewer social contacts, less social participation, and more social isolation than uninjured peers. Cognitive-communication deficits may prevent individuals with TBI from accessing the opportunities for social connection afforded by computer-mediated communication, as individuals with TBI report lower overall usage of social media than uninjured peers and significant challenges with accessibility and usability. Although adaptations for individuals with motor and sensory impairments exist to support social media use, there have been no parallel advances to support individuals with cognitive disabilities like those exhibited by some people with TBI. Here, we take a preliminary step in the development process by learning more about patterns of social media use in individuals with TBI, as well as their input and priorities for developing social media adaptations.

Objective:

(1) To characterize how and why adults with TBI use social media and computer-mediated communication platforms, (2) to evaluate changes in computer-mediated communication after brain injury, and (3) to elicit suggestions from individuals with TBI for improving access to social media after injury.

Methods:

Methods:

We conducted an online survey of 53 individuals with a chronic history of moderate-severe TBI and a demographically matched group of 51 non-injured healthy comparison (NC) peers.

Results:

More than 90% of participants in both groups have an account on at least one computer-mediated communication platform, with Facebook and Facebook Messenger being the most popular platforms in both groups. Participants with and without a history of TBI were more likely to use Facebook passively than actively and were most likely to maintain online relationships with close friends and family members. However, participants with TBI were less likely than NCs to use synchronous video conferencing platforms, to be connected with acquaintances online, and to use social media as a gateway for offline social connection (e.g., to find events). 22.64% of participants with TBI endorsed a change in their patterns social media use caused by brain injury and listed concerns about accessibility, safety, and usability as major barriers.

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

Although individuals with TBI maintain social media accounts to the same extent as healthy comparisons, some may not use them in a way that promotes social connection. Thus, it is important to design social media adaptations that address the needs and priorities of individuals with TBI, so they too can reap the benefits of social connectedness offered by these platforms. By considering computer-mediated communication as part of individuals’ broader social health, we may be able to increase online participation in a way that is meaningful, positive, and beneficial to broader social life.