Online awareness: a concept analysis and review of assessment approaches for adults with neurological conditions

Abstract

Purpose

Self-awareness is a multifaceted phenomenon that comprises two main concepts: general awareness and online awareness. The latter is an emerging concept that requires further consensus on its definition. The aim of this paper is to define the key components of online awareness and identify approaches for measuring this concept for adults with neurological conditions.

Materials and methods

Concept analysis using Rodgers’ evolutionary method was used to systematically review and summarise relevant literature. Papers were included if they provided a definition of online awareness or method for assessing online awareness for an adult neurological population.

Results

Fifty-six papers were included in this review, with 21 online awareness assessment approaches identified. Online awareness was described to occur within the context of task performance, with the definition framework comprising four main aspects: 1/appraisal; 2/anticipation and prediction; 3/monitoring; and 4/self-evaluation. Self-regulation is a related concept that is considered to sit outside the conceptual boundaries of online awareness.

Conclusions

The findings of this analysis highlight the complexity of online awareness and its importance in rehabilitation. Psychometrically robust measures of online awareness that are inclusive of the essential elements of this concept are needed to advance practice in this area.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Online awareness or awareness of performance within the context of an activity should be included in the comprehensive assessment of self-awareness for individuals with neurological conditions.

• Online awareness is a task-specific phenomenon that is activated in the context of task performance, and requires assessment across a range of tasks and environments.

• When assessing online awareness, careful consideration is required when selecting tasks to ensure they have the right level of challenge to elicit the need to monitor performance.

• The heterogeneity of existing online awareness assessments highlights the need to interpret outcomes with caution.

• Future efforts should be directed towards development of an online awareness assessment that includes key attributes of this concept.

Keywords:

• Self-awareness
• metacognition
• neurological conditions
• rehabilitation
• occupational therapy

Disclosure statement

Joan Toglia receives royalties for two books that include two of the chapters cited within this paper.

Authors’ declaration of authorship contribution

The authors confirm contribution to the paper as follows: study conception and design: all authors; data collection: D.S.; data analysis: D.S., J.F.; interpretation of results: all authors; draft manuscript preparation: D.S. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript. This paper adheres to ethical standards.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. D.S. is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. N.A.L. is supported by a Heart Foundation (Australia) Future Leader Fellowship.