Memory for social media images following traumatic brain injury

Abstract

ABSTRACT Primary objective An emerging body of research examines the role of computer-mediated communication in supporting social connection in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We examine the cognitive impacts of engaging with images posted to social media for persons with moderate-severe TBI. Research design Prior work shows that after viewing social media posts, adults have better memory for posts when they generate a comment about the post. We examined if persons with TBI experience a memory benefit for commented-upon social media images similar to non-injured comparison participants. Methods and procedures 53 persons with moderate-to-severe TBI and 52 non-injured comparison participants viewed arrays of real social media images and were prompted to comment on some of them. After a brief delay, a surprise two-alternative forced choice recognition memory test measured memory for these images. Main outcomes and results Persons with TBI remembered social media images at above-chance levels and experienced a commenting-related memory boost much like non-injured comparison participants. Conclusions These findings add to a growing literature on the potential benefits of social media use in individuals with TBI and point to the benefits of active engagement for memory in social media contexts in TBI.