Dyadic Communication Research Articles

Empowering Dementia Communication via Virtual Reality AI-Driven Simulations

The use of effective communication skills is essential for direct care workers to provide quality care for persons living with dementia (PLWD) in long-term service and support settings (LTSS). However, direct care workers often report feeling unprepared, lacking competence in care, and fear interacting with PLWD. This proof-of-concept study proposes Virtual reality Communication Training Optimizing Real-world Interactions (VICTORI) intervention, aiming to develop and evaluate the usability, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) simulated communication training for direct care workers using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated patients with dementia. Care-related and social communication scenarios in dementia care will be developed, based on current literature, our validated communication instrument, and AI technology. Six modules consisting of pre-briefing, simulation facilitation, and de-briefing will be developed, refined, and evaluated based on an advisory board of experts and direct care workers’ quantitative and qualitative feedback. To test the usability, acceptability, and effectiveness of the VICTORI intervention, we will use a single group pre- and post-test intervention design, integrating quantitative measures and qualitative semi-structured interviews in this mixed-methods study. Thirty direct care workers will be recruited at two LTSS in North Texas. Direct care workers will participate in six VR-AI simulation commu-nication training sessions that include communication with AI-generated patients, real-time feedback, and detailed evaluation of communication behaviors. Each simulation will be recorded to further evaluate the partici-pant’s communication skills using the Dyadic Communi-cation Observational coding scheme in Dementia care (DCODE). Additionally, participants' potential side effects during VR simulation will be assessed using continuous physiological data and self-reported questionnaires at each simulation session. Communication knowledge and com-petence in dementia care will be assessed before and after training using self-reported questionnaires. Direct care workers will also be interviewed to assess acceptability and satisfaction with the VICTORI training. This proposal will introduce innovative training methods that leverage AI technology into communication training in dementia care. Objective assessments, including AI-based feedback, physiological data, and observational assessments, ensure the reliability and validity of the data to evaluate plausibility of VICTORI intervention.

The Languages of Love Support Group: Exploring quality of life and relationship satisfaction among couples experiencing cancer.

206 Background: Based on Dr. Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages (5LL), love is given and received in different ways. By identifying preferences for reciprocating love, relationships are enhanced through strengthened bonds and improved communication. Study goals were to optimize quality of life and reduce pain through improved dyadic communication via support group curriculum adapted from Dr. Chapman’s work. Methods: A research collaboration was established between an academic pharmacy research team and a large community oncology practice. A group of Masters prepared Social Workers (MSWs) within the oncology practice developed a virtual 6-week, cancer specific curriculum targeting the patient-partner couple (dyad). Participants completed 5LL quiz to determine their preferred love language. In each group session facilitated by MSWs, dyads were educated on each love language meaning (words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, physical touch) and potential impact following a cancer diagnosis. Weekly sessions included collective discussion and breakout groups consisting of patients and partners separately. Participants took a researcher-designed, pre- and post-test survey. Participants shared their preferred love language and were encouraged to perform actions accordingly. Dyads were mailed infographics with application examples for each love language and received a welcome starter kit including $50 of items. Results: A pilot group of 24 dyads consisting of 3 cohorts were enrolled in the 6-week intervention. Eleven dyads completed pre- and post-tests (45.8%); 100% of dyads were married, greater than 50% more than 20 years. Greater than 80% of participants were 50 years or older, greater than 70% White; 81.8% of patients female and 63.3% of partners male. Patient relationship satisfaction increased significantly (p<0.10) while trend for improved partner relationship satisfaction was not significant. There was a trend of decreased patient depression and anxiety despite patients’ reported pain increasing significantly (p<0.10). The comments regarding intervention were overwhelmingly positive. Conclusions: Educating dyads within the 5LL virtual support group demonstrated a novel and effective way to provide emotional support and enhance intimate relationships. Through this innovative group, participants learned to identify and express partners’ love language. Pilot intervention shows how this approach is useful in improving relationship satisfaction during the cancer journey. Following group participation, patients also reported increased quality of life and decreased depression and anxiety even while reporting increased pain. Based on this evidence, a couples support group constructed from the 5LL paradigm is a promising approach to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

Psychometric evaluation of the german version of the parent-adolescent communication scale.

The quality of dyadic Parent-Child Communication (PCC) between parents and their adolescent children may be important for the adolescent's general development and mental health during adolescence. Since German instruments for measuring PCC are still lacking, this study aimed to validate the German translation of the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PACS), an internationally established self-report questionnaire. To examine the theoretical-based two-factor model of the PACS in a German population sample of 1044 parent-adolescent dyads, confirmatory factor analyses were used. Moreover, the cross-group measurement invariance of the instrument was assessed. Two clinical samples were used to assess discriminative validity. Bland-Altman plots were used to asses parent-adolescent agreement. The two-factor structure of the PACS was supported. Scalar measurement invariance was established for parent age groups and adolescent gender but not for adolescent age groups and parent gender. Convergent and divergent validity were established. Discriminative validity was only established for the adolescent version in the adolescent psychiatry sample. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory, and rater agreement was medium. The German translation of the PACS is a reliable and valid measurement to assess parent-adolescent communication quality per self-report. Research directions include the concordance discrepancy in clinical samples and further investigation of changes in parents' and adolescents' perspectives on communication problems and open communication. Registration: NCT05332236 (clinicaltrials.gov), first registered 2022-04-11.

From Me to You to Us: Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Care, Partner Communication, and Family Harmony

At its core, the family unit is composed of individual members. The way in which an individual engages in self-care practices has been shown to influence their ability to interact with others. Minimal research has explored the impact of an individual’s self-care on broader family functioning. Through a systems theory lens, this paper aims to elucidate two specific mechanisms through which self-care may affect family harmony through dyadic communication constructs. A parallel mediation model was tested using a sample of participants who completed the ELEVATE relationship education program ( N = 1578). Findings revealed two positive indirect effects of self-care on family harmony via affectionate communication and negative conflict management. Results also indicated a positive direct relationship between self-care and family harmony. This study represents an important empirical step towards understanding the complex relationships among intrapersonal self-care, interpersonal communication, and broader family harmony. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Rural dyadic collaboration in heart failure

Abstract Background Dyads (patient/care partner) living with heart failure have shared responsibility for patient care. While theoretical and empirical literature regarding heart failure dyadic care is evolving rapidly, sociocultural contexts are unique and affect relationship dynamics. Yet, dynamics and underlying structures of rural dyadic collaboration in heart failure remains unknown. Purpose The purpose of this secondary analysis was to describe the dynamics and underlying structures of dyadic collaboration in heart failure among rural dyads. Methods A semi-structured interview was used to evaluate the acceptability and usefulness of a 12-week problem-solving intervention in addressing dyadic heart failure-related issues and the development of effective management strategies in week 5. Initially, in the qualitative analysis, an adjusted matrix analysis for each rural dyad was used to identify these dyadic issues and strategies. Subsequently, dynamics and underlying structures of collaboration occurring within these dyads in addressing these issues and strategies were analyzed and thematic codes generated. Finally, a multiple correspondence analysis of dyadic collaboration was performed within these thematic codes and a Benzécri equation used to normalize results, helping to determine the underlying structure and variance explained by the model on a Cartesian graph. Results Twenty-eight living in the rural southeastern U.S. were included. Patients were mostly Caucasian (73.3%), female (60%), married (70%), and college-educated (43%), with an average age of 67.7 years. Care partners were primarily women (n = 50%), Caucasian (82.1%), married (89.3%), and high school-educated (46.4%), with an average age of 64.5 years. Using inductive coding, four codes emerged regarding dyadic relational and collaborative aspects between dyads: role awareness, requesting or receiving help, and improving dyadic communication. XLStat was used for a multiple correspondence analysis (Fig. 1), with checking and then normalizing results using the Benzécri equation on R (Fig.2). There were two gender-determined patterns within dyads. In dyads in which the patient was female and the care partner male, communication improved, requests for assistance were verbalized, and there was an improvement in collaborative orientation. However, partners were unaware of their collaborative role. In contrast, when the care partner was a woman and the patient a man, communication and requests for help were implied, and there was no improvement in collaborative orientation. In this situation, partners had full role awareness. Conclusion(s) These findings suggest gender constitutes a key element in communication, verbalization of needs, and collaborative orientation within rural dyads living with heart failure. The importance of gender roles may be useful in designing future dyadic interventions for rural individuals with heart failure and their informal care partners.

Relationship between dyadic communication and body image among women with breast cancer.

Dyadic communication positively affects marital relationships, good relationships help restore body image, and this study explores the relationship between dyadic communication and body image of breast cancer patients. Cross-sectional correlation design with convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from two outpatient medical centers. Demographic information, medical records, and two questionnaires, dyadic communicative resilience scale (DCRS) and body image scale (BIS), were administered. Participants comprised women with breast cancer and their partners. Multiple regression analysis was performed to control related factors to understand the association between the DCRS of the women with breast cancer and their partners and the women's body image. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to analyze between three categories of couple's communication status (consistent and good, consistent and poor, and inconsistent) and body image of women with breast cancer. Data were obtained from 162 women with breast cancer and 90 partners. The study found (1) significant correlation between the women's perception of their communication and body image, (2) humor in partner's perception of their communication was significantly associated with women's body image, and (3) dyadic communication that both patients and partners were consistent and good in the domain of keeping pre-cancer routines and attractiveness was associated with women's body image. The correlation between dyadic communication and the body image of women with breast cancer is significant. Improving communication specific on keepingpre-cancer routines and attractiveness between women with breast cancer and their partners could enhance the women's body image.

Computational Interpersonal Communication Model for Screening Autistic Toddlers: A Case Study of Response-to-Name.

Interpersonal communication facilitates symptom measures of autistic sociability to enhance clinical decision-making in identifying children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Traditional methods are carried out by clinical practitioners with assessment scales, which are subjective to quantify. Recent studies employ engineering technologies to analyze children's behaviors with quantitative indicators, but these methods only generate specific rule-driven indicators that are not adaptable to diverse interaction scenarios. To tackle this issue, we propose a Computational Interpersonal Communication Model (CICM) based on psychological theory to represent dyadic interpersonal communication as a stochastic process, providing a scenario-independent theoretical framework for evaluating autistic sociability. We apply CICM to the response-to-name (RTN) with 48 subjects, including 30 toddlers with ASD and 18 typically developing (TD), and design a joint state transition matrix as quantitative indicators. Paired with machine learning, our proposed CICM-driven indicators achieve consistencies of 98.44% and 83.33% with RTN expert ratings and ASD diagnosis, respectively. Beyond outstanding screening results, we also reveal the interpretability between CICM-driven indicators and expert ratings based on statistical analysis.

Exploring the Influence of Virtual Avatar Heads in Mixed Reality on Social Presence, Performance and User Experience in Collaborative Tasks.

In Mixed Reality (MR), users' heads are largely (if not completely) occluded by the MR Head-Mounted Display (HMD) they are wearing. As a consequence, one cannot see their facial expressions and other communication cues when interacting locally. In this paper, we investigate how displaying virtual avatars' heads on-top of the (HMD-occluded) heads of participants in a Video See-Through (VST) Mixed Reality local collaborative task could improve their collaboration as well as social presence. We hypothesized that virtual heads would convey more communicative cues (such as eye direction or facial expressions) hidden by the MR HMDs and lead to better collaboration and social presence. To do so, we conducted a between-subject study ($\mathrm{n}=88$) with two independent variables: the type of avatar (CartoonAvatar/RealisticAvatar/NoAvatar) and the level of facial expressions provided (HighExpr/LowExpr). The experiment involved two dyadic communication tasks: (i) the "20-question" game where one participant asks questions to guess a hidden word known by the other participant and (ii) a urban planning problem where participants have to solve a puzzle by collaborating. Each pair of participants performed both tasks using a specific type of avatar and facial animation. Our results indicate that while adding an avatar's head does not necessarily improve social presence, the amount of facial expressions provided through the social interaction does have an impact. Moreover, participants rated their performance higher when observing a realistic avatar but rated the cartoon avatars as less uncanny. Taken together, our results contribute to a better understanding of the role of partial avatars in local MR collaboration and pave the way for further research exploring collaboration in different scenarios, with different avatar types or MR setups.

Digitale Öffentlichkeit(en). Linguistische Perspektiven

Abstract In this thematic volume we ask how digitalization and mediatization are transforming public communication and its conceptual understanding. This introductory text delves into the historical shift from oral and body media to written media in societal communication, highlighting the evolution through telecommunication mass media to the replacement of analog communication by digital forms. It addresses the lack of consensus on the definition of ‘publics’ and public communication, underscoring the multidimensional, heterogeneous, and fluid nature of these concepts. We ask how digitalization and mediatization processes raise questions about fundamental changes in publics due to new technological-communicative possibilities. Furthermore, we discuss the concept of publics as communicatively constructed and maintained, shaped by media and community ideologies. We propose a continuum model for digital/digitized publics, ranging from dyadic communication to multi-party communication. It emphasizes four key aspects for linguistic engagement with digital publics: communicative construction, technical and social affordances, multiplicity of addressing, and practices of digital community formation. With this model and the contributions following the introduction we contribute to a nuanced understanding of digital publics, considering their scale, complexity, and the dynamics of content creation and audience interaction.

Social Communication and Parent Verbal Responsiveness Across Interaction Contexts in Toddlers on the Autism Spectrum.

Interactions with caregivers during the ordinary activities that occur as families go about their everyday lives are critical to supporting children's acquisition of social communication and language skills. The purpose of this study was to examine child communication and parent verbal responsiveness across interaction contexts in 211 children (Mage = 20 months) on the autism spectrum (n = 121), with developmental delay (n = 46), or with typical development (n = 44). Families participated in up to eight activities during an hour-long, video-recorded home observation. We tested differences in the strength of associations between diagnostic group and interaction context using linear mixed-effects models, with child rate per minute of communication and proportions of parent follow-in comments and directives as outcome variables. Child communicative functions expressed across contexts were also examined. Children across groups communicated at significantly higher rates per minute during book sharing and play with people compared to other interaction contexts. Most child communication was for the function of joint attention during book sharing, for social interaction during play with people, and for behavior regulation during necessary activities such as family chores and meals. On average, parents of children responded using proportionally more follow-in comments during book sharing and play compared to necessary activities, during which parents used more follow-in directives. Results provide a glimpse into the dyadic communication that may occur within everyday activities at home, which supports the need for future intervention research and may aid clinicians seeking to identify activities that serve as important contexts for intervention.

Communication Patterns and Characteristics of Family Caregivers and Persons Living With Dementia: Secondary Analysis of Video Observation.

It is essential to characterize communication patterns for better health outcomes for family caregivers and persons living with dementia. This study aimed to examine the relationships between communication patterns and the characteristics of dyads of family caregivers and persons living with dementia. A secondary analysis was conducted using 75 video-recorded home care observations from 19 dyads. Participant characteristics and caregiver burden, depression, and sense of competence were collected from the parent study. The video-recorded dyadic communication patterns were assessed using a coding scheme developed based on Communication Accommodation Theory and Classical Test Theory. The relative frequency of the communication patterns was compared between groups. Overall, 8311 caregiver and 8024 care recipient communication behaviors were observed. Caregiver communication patterns were categorized as facilitative, disabling, and neutral. Care recipient communication patterns were categorized as engaging, challenging, and neutral. Caregiver gender, care recipient gender, care recipient education level, dementia diagnosis length, types of dementia, dyadic gender difference, burden, depression, and competence of caregiver, and types of communication were significantly associated with caregiver communication. Dementia diagnosis length, caregiver competence, dyadic gender difference, and types of communication were significantly associated with care recipient communication. The findings demonstrated different communication patterns depending on individual and dyad characteristics and evidence for dyadic communication support to promote meaningful interaction for persons living with dementia. Further analysis is needed to identify mediating factors and causal relationships.

A meta-synthesis of the experience of paediatric nurses in communication with children.

This study aimed to conduct a meta-synthesis to explore the experiences of paediatric nurses in communication with children. We conducted a meta-synthesis review, following the outline proposed by Sandelowski, Barrosso & Voils. Our search encompassed six electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO (MEDLINE), Web of Science, SAGE, and Wiley. The Primary keywords used were "nurse", "child", "communication", and "qualitative". We included qualitative articles in English within the field of paediatric nursing between 1990 and 2023. Initially, 1980 records were identified which reduced to 1339 references after removing duplicates. Subsequently, we assessed 112 full-text articles for eligibility and 14 relevant studies were ultimately included in our review. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme checklist with no study being excluded based on quality criteria. Data were synthesized using the qualitative thematic analysis method. The data analysis yielded three themes and seven sub-themes. These themes include swinging between triadic and dyadic communication, applying a hybrid of communication methods, and influential factor in communication. This study highlighted the significance of establishing a balanced approach between dyadic communication (nurse and child) and triadic communication (nurse-parent-child) in paediatric care. Paediatric nurses emphasized the simultaneous use of verbal and non-verbal methods to enhance effective communication. Additionally, identifying the influential factors in communication can aid in developing and improving nurses' competency in communication skills within paediatric departments. Understanding the communication process and the factors that influence it can be instrumental in equipping paediatric nurses with enhanced communication skills in their practice. Establishing a balanced approach between dyadic communication (nurse and child) and triadic communication (nurse-parent-child) in paediatric care is crucial. Paediatric nurses emphasized the simultaneous use of verbal and non-verbal methods to enhance effective communication. Identifying the influential factors in communication can aid in developing and improving nurses' competency in communication skills within paediatric departments.

Associations between dyadic communication and dyadic coping of patients with cervical cancer and their spouses: a study utilizing the actor-partner interdependence model.

There is a growing focus on exploring dyadic interactions and outcomes between couples undergoing cervical cancer (CC). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to figure out how dyadic communication influences both CC patients' and spouses' coping abilities. A sample of 286 CC dyads completed questionnaires assessing dyadic communication and dyadic coping. The actor-partner interdependence model was used to analyze the interaction effect between the dyads. Dyadic communication among cervical cancer (CC) patients has a predictive effect on their own negative dyadic coping (β = - 0.141, P = 0.034) and on their spouses' delegated dyadic coping (β = 0.133, P = 0.044). In contrast, dyadic communication among CC spouses is negatively associated with their own supportive dyadic coping (β = - 0.237, P < 0.001), delegated dyadic coping (β = - 0.156, P = 0.018), common dyadic coping (β = - 0.148, P = 0.026) and also with CC patients' supportive dyadic coping (β = - 0.153, P = 0.022). Dyadic communication between CC patients and their spouses affect their own and each other's dyadic coping. Exploring interventions focused on the CC couples' communication strategies to enhance their positive dyadic coping should be considered.

HOME CARE DYADIC COMMUNICATION PATTERNS OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA: SEQUENTIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract Examining temporal relationships of communication patterns between family caregivers and persons living with dementia (care recipients) is useful to determine which caregiver communication patterns are more effective in engaging care recipients and prioritize the use of such communication patterns. This study examined temporal relationships between antecedent family caregiver communication and subsequent care recipient communication during 75 in-home care video observations. A 5-second timed-window analysis was conducted to examine the likelihood of the relationships between dyadic communication patterns. Joint frequency and conditional probability statistics demonstrated that care recipients used the same communication patterns at differing frequencies during and within a 5-second window following each communication pattern by family caregivers. Dyadic communication patterns yielded likelihood probabilities with an effect size greater than chance (Yule’s Q = 0.31-1.00). Care recipient’s engaging body language most likely occurred after the caregiver’s facilitative body language preceded (Yule’s Q = 0.31-.1.00). Care recipient’s relevant communication and verbal response most likely occurred after the caregiver’s simplified message preceded (Yule’s Q = 0.55-1.00). Specific caregiver facilitative communication exhibited subsequent care recipient engaging communication. Future research can expand on how characteristics, types, and frequencies of caregiver communication would impact care recipient engaging communication.

A longitudinal analysis of communication traits: communication apprehension, willingness to communicate, and self-perceived communication competence

ABSTRACT This longitudinal study assessed the communication apprehension, willingness to communicate, and self-perceived communication competence for a group of participants across a 15-year span. In total, 220 of 237 participants completed the 15-year project. The data represent six time points, with data collections happening once every three years. The results show that meeting communication apprehension, dyadic communication apprehension, public communication apprehension, willingness to communicate, and self-perceived communication competence all changed across time, indicating these traditionally thought of trait-like variables behaved more as state-like characteristics. Group communication apprehension did not change over time, indicating it may be more trait-like than state like. Results are limited by evidence of poor temporal stability for the public communication apprehension, self-perceived communication competence, and willingness to communicate measures.

Listen to Me: Quality of Communication and Intergenerational Political Socialization

Intergenerational political socialization is alive and well in the polarized American polity. But, by what mechanism do parental views transmit to children? We develop a theory ( dyadic social learning theory) which posits the importance of dyadic familial communication in facilitating attitudinal concordance between parents and children. Using original survey data of 1,048 dyadic pairs of American parents and middle school-aged children, we develop a novel measure of political perception that combines the perceptive accuracy of parents with the perceptive accuracy of their children. This measure of parent-child alignment, which we argue signals quality communication in families, is a powerful determinant of parent-child congruence on political views and emotions, particularly polarization. When a dyadic pair accurately perceives each other politically, the likelihood of congruent views and shared polarization increases. This research has implications for how we understand political transference of polarized views, and for broader theories of how children are socialized into the political world. It also suggests that solutions to polarization will have to address the role of parents in initiating polarization.

Debate: How far can we modify the expression of autism by modifying the environment?

Following Green (Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2023, 28, 438) the emergence of a manifest autistic phenotype, during preschool years, represents a discontinuity from preclinical or subclinical states. We propose that this discontinuity suggests that autistic children experience superior interest for, and processing of non-social information, whereas children without autism favor social information processing. This is produced by perceptual over-functioning, still allowing self-taught non-social language learning in a substantial fraction of prototypical autistic children. A new set of rigorous intervention studies using Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT), based on the synchrony principle, brought autistic children below the ADOS diagnostic threshold (Whitehouse etal., JAMA Pediatrics, 2021, 175, e213298). We now know that adaptation of the child's social environment can produce changes in the manifestations of autism in the pre-school period and later. However, the limitation of these changes, combine with evidence of non-social learning of language suggests that clinicians should combine lateral tutorship (the parallel, unsynchronous exposure of information) with the synchrony (early dyadic communication and engagement) principle to create a new generation of strength-based interventions.

Child-Directed Speech in Noise: Testing Signal- and Code-Based Phonetic Enhancement.

Talkers adapt their speech according to the demands of their listeners and the communicative context, enhancing the properties of the signal (pitch, intensity) and/or properties of the code (enhancement of phonemic contrasts). This study asked how mothers adapt their child-directed speech (CDS) in ways that might serve the immediate goals of increasing intelligibility, as well as long-term goals of supporting speech and language development in their children. Mothers (N = 28) participated in a real-time interactive speech production/perception paradigm, in which mothers instructed their young (3- to 5-year-old) children, or an adult listener, to select the picture corresponding to a target word. The task was performed at low and high levels (56 vs. 75 dB SPL) of background noise to examine the Lombard effects of decreased audibility on speech production. Acoustic-phonetic analyses of CDS and adult-directed speech (ADS) productions of target words and carrier phrase (e.g., "Find pig") revealed that mothers significantly enhanced the mean pitch, pitch variability, and intensity of target words in CDS, particularly at higher background noise levels and for younger children. Mothers produce CDS with a higher signal-to-noise ratio than ADS. However, limited evidence was found for phonetic enhancement of the segmental properties of speech. Although increased category separation was found in the voice onset time of stop consonants, decreased vowel category separation (an anti-enhancement effect) was observed in CDS. Mothers readily enhance the suprasegmental signal properties of their speech in CDS, but not the acoustic-phonetic properties of phonemes. This study fails to provide evidence of phonetic enhancement in preschool children in a dyadic communication task under noisy listening conditions. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24645423.

A corpus-based analysis of discourse marker 'like' functions in podcasts: A gender study

Focusing on the use of discourse markers (DM), this study investigated the use of DM like in dyadic communication in American Spotify podcasts. This research aimed to understand the linguistic behavior of podcasters in using DM like during their podcasts and to compare the spoken corpus of female and male speakers collected from the podcast. Corpus analysis assisted by AntConc 3.5.9. was applied to determine (1) which gender primarily used DM like within the corpus, (2) the significance between the usage of DM like and the speaker’s gender, and (3) the functions of using DM like by each gender based on Müller’s (2005) taxonomy of DM like functions. The analysis portrayed that male speakers prefer to use DM like more than female podcast speakers, which is in contrast to previous studies claiming that female speakers used more DM like than male speakers. The difference in results could be attributed to the 17-year gap in the study, which has potentially led to changes in the inclination of using DM like between genders. However, despite male speakers’ higher usage of DM like, there is still no correlation between the use of DM like and the speaker’s gender, aligning with previous research. Lastly, this study revealed that both genders used the same DM like functions, although the occurrences varied.

Lay Person–Legal actor communication dyads and neurodisability: Structural dynamics, risks, and contradictions

It is increasingly clear that the law operates in a way that burdens the very cognitive resources needed to navigate it. One aspect of this systemic cognitive burden is the legal actor–lay person communication dyad; these dyads are the behavioral orientation through which the vast majority of lay persons experience the law, and they are marked by cognitive-communication features that create disparity between the legal actor and the lay person, increasing the lay person's risk of poorer-quality communication behavior. This risk is likely greater for persons with neurodisability, which increases the likelihood of impaired cognitive functioning and impaired communication behaviors; however, interactions among neurodisability, cognitive communication, and legal dyads are not well understood. To characterize these interactions, this article models social-legal cognitive communication within the context of neurodisability, describes the cognitive causes and consequences of uneven communication dyads, and explores structural conceptual frameworks within the law that enable and compound systemic communication risk. Finally, the article considers fundamental cognitive-behavioral contradictions revealed by the analysis and discusses what implication such an analysis might have on attempts to reform, or more ideally recreate, the law and its interconnected social-political systems. Such interdisciplinary scientific analysis is a key step in reducing structural communication burdens, resolving systemic contradictions, and improving legal outcomes for persons with neurodisabilities.