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Introduction: Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder which affects language production and comprehension negatively resulting from a focal brain lesion in the language dominant hemisphere. Changes in quality of life (QOL) are observed after acquired aphasia following stroke besides other aphasia related difficulties. Taking the quality of life factor into consideration contributes aphasia intervention. Therefore, assessing the quality of life should be included the assessment procedures. The aim of this study was to determine QOL of Turkish speaking aphasic individuals and to analyze the factors that affect QOL. Method: Language Assessment Test for Aphasia, Short Form-36, and Beck Depression Scale and Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 TR (SAQOL-39-TR) were administered to a group of 50 post stroke participants who had been diagnosed with aphasia. SPSS 23 statistical package program was used to analyze obtained data. Results: Overall mean score of 50 participants on the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 TR (SAQOL- 39 TR) scale was 51 in physical domain (SD = 21,37), 19 in communication domain (SD = 8,04), 34 in psycho- social domain (SD = 9,47) and 11 in energy domain (SD = 4,33) while their overall score in general scale was 115 (SD = 35,16). The communication domain demonstrated a significant trend towards significance, and it was the most affected domain in all. Scores in Beck Depression Scale were between 7-16 while mean score was 12. Overall mean score of 50 participants on the Short Form-36 was 53,60 in physical functioning, 70,50 in social functioning, 53,00 in Role Limitations attributed to Physical Problems, 48,44 in Role Limitations attributed to Emotional Problems, 66,38 in Mental Health, 36,87 in Energy and Fatigue, 68,60 in Pain and 60,89 in Overall Health domains. A significant positive correlation was found between SAQOL-39 TR and Short Form-36 scores while negative correlation was found between SAQOL-39 TR and Beck Depression Scale scores. The habit of reading pre- and post-onset of stroke, education level and number of people living at home factors were significantly associated with higher scores in some SAQOL-39 TR domains. There was no correlation between the communication domain scores with age, gender and post-onset of stroke. Conclusion: Communication is the most affected domain in aphasia after stroke in terms of quality of life. Even if aphasia is defined as a language disorder, some other problems related to emotional status, occupation and marital life can be experienced as well. Speech and language therapists must be aware of these problems and they should see the person with aphasia as a whole, not just language side of him/her. Therefore, these people with aphasia should be assessed and treated accordingly. The whole process of intervention should be better conducted with the aim of increasing levels of communication and quality of life.

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