Coping with the Challenges of Recovery from Stroke

Recovery from stroke poses significant physical and psychological challenge. To develop appropriate psychological support interventions, increased understanding of the challenge and coping behaviours that promote adjustment is critical. This study presents results from a series of focus groups with stroke support group members. The evolution of challenges faced during hospitalization, rehabilitation and into the longer term is described. The active, social and cognitive coping strategies reported as helpful are explored. In the long term, acceptance of life changes, engagement in new roles and activities and the presence of social support appear to be key factors in post-stroke adjustment.

[1]  G. Becker,et al.  Managing an uncertain illness trajectory in old age: patients' and physicians' views of stroke. , 1995, Medical anthropology quarterly.

[2]  G Becker,et al.  Continuity after a stroke: implications of life-course disruption in old age. , 1993, The Gerontologist.

[3]  J. Rankin,et al.  Cerebral Vascular Accidents in Patients over the Age of 60: I. General Considerations , 1957, Scottish medical journal.

[4]  C. Burton,et al.  Re-thinking stroke rehabilitation: the Corbin and Strauss chronic illness trajectory framework. , 2000, Journal of advanced nursing.

[5]  J. Rees,et al.  Psychology in rehabilitation of older adults , 2002 .

[6]  J. Desrosiers,et al.  Coping with the consequences of a stroke , 2002, International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptation.

[7]  Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy for Depression Following Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial , 2003, Stroke.

[8]  A. Strauss,et al.  The Discovery of Grounded Theory , 1967 .

[9]  R. Atchley.  Activity adaptations to the development of functional limitations and results for subjective well-being in later adulthood: A qualitative analysis of longitudinal panel data over a 16-year period , 1998 .

[10]  R. King,et al.  Adaptation to Stroke: A Longitudinal Study of Depressive Symptoms, Physical Health, and Coping Process , 2002, Topics in stroke rehabilitation.

[11]  A. Strauss.  Basics Of Qualitative Research , 1992 .

[12]  M. Kirkevold,et al.  The unfolding illness trajectory of stroke , 2002, Disability and rehabilitation.

[13]  M. Sommer,et al.  A 3-year follow-up of stroke patients: relationships between activities of daily living and personality characteristics. , 1996, Archives of gerontology and geriatrics.

[14]  Sandra E. Black,et al.  Quality of Life Following Stroke: Negotiating Disability, Identity, and Resources , 2005 .

[15]  M. White,et al.  Recovery from stroke: does rehabilitation counselling have a role to play? , 2000, Disability and rehabilitation.

[16]  P. Kennedy,et al.  Coping effectiveness training reduces depression and anxiety following traumatic spinal cord injuries. , 2003, The British journal of clinical psychology.

[17]  K. Asplund,et al.  Major Depression in Stroke Patients: A 3‐Year Longitudinal Study , 1993, Stroke.

[18]  H. Schut,et al.  The dual process model of coping with bereavement: rationale and description. , 1999, Death studies.

[19]  C M Mumma,et al.  Perceived Losses Following Stroke , 1986, Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.

[20]  J. Ware.  SF-36 health survey: Manual and interpretation guide , 2003 .