Overprotection in couples with aphasia

PURPOSE: The study aimed to measure the perception of overprotection in 21 couples living with aphasia, relative to controls. METHOD: The 'Questionnaire on Resources and Stress' assessed the spouses' perception and the 'Overprotection Scale for Adults' measured the perception of persons with aphasia. RESULTS: Husbands of women with aphasia did not differ from husbands of women without aphasia. Wives of men with aphasia reported more overprotection than wives of men without aphasia, even when functional impairment was controlled. The men with aphasia did not report feeling overprotected. No significant relationship was uncovered between the report of overprotection and feeling overprotected in couples with aphasia. CONCLUSIONS: Overprotection is present in some couples coping with aphasia.