An Exploration of Cohesion and Coherence Skills in Neuropsychiatric Disorder: Speech Language Pathologist Perspective

Abstract

Discourse task is assumed to unveil the dyssynchrony between thought and language in an Individual with Schizophrenia (IWS). We investigated the narrative discourse abilities of a schizophrenia participant using qualitative and quantitative methods of discourse analysis. Discourse samples of picture description and narration were video recorded and transcribed using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The transcribed samples were subjected to two methods of analysis such as qualitative and quantitative discourse analysis to see the pattern of discourse production. The qualitative analysis of discourse was carried out using a standardized “Discourse Analysis Scale” (DAS) and the quantitative analysis was done using Thematic-Unit Analysis (T-unit analysis) for narration and picture description task. The qualitative analysis of discourse revealed deficits at the level of propositional and non-propositional aspects of communication for narration and picture description task. Quantitative analysis revealed a higher proportion of T-units for picture description task. In conclusion, it is important to establish both qualitative and quantitative analysis of discourse to document the presence of deficits at propositional and non-propositional aspects of communication. Using both the method of analysis would help the clinician to profile the cognitive-linguistic impairment in an IWS, which will further facilitate the clinician to device and deliver better treatment for IWS.