This review revealed present, yet heterogeneous, relationships between cognitive and discourse deficits in speakers with ABI. Associations were interpreted in light of a well-established model of discourse processing. Greater comparison across studies would have been facilitated by a standard nomenclature in relation to cognitive constructs and standardized discourse assessment. Future research should explore the influence of injury- and participant-related factors on discourse-cognitive relationships. The lack of information on conversational discourse and paediatric ABI limits the generalizability of this review to daily interaction following ABI. While applicable across the lifespan, in-depth investigation of discourse following ABI in childhood and adolescence is a priority due to complex changes in language and cognition, and the potential for impairments profoundly impact social, emotional and academic progression into adulthood. Given the centrality of remediating cognitive-communication difficulties in ABI, the interrelationships between discourse and cognition should retain a critical focus of research. This will inform clinical management and future research with this population. Findings have implications for our theoretical understanding of discourse and the nature of its breakdown in ABI.