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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 "This emphasizes the need to take personality into account as a potential vulnerability factor for decreased QOL [quality of life]," Visser-Meily said.
A separate study also led by Visser-Meily found that coping is the most important predictor of psychological well-being of spouses of stroke survivors. The study, which included 211 stroke survivors and their spouses (average age 54), found that active coping strategies were associated with less stress and higher levels of participation, while a passive coping style was associated with negative outcomes.
While caregiver burden decreased significantly over time, 43 percent of spouses still scored above the cut-off point for burden three years after their partner's stroke. The study also found that the number of spouses with depressive symptoms decreased from 68 percent at the start of rehab to 53 percent at two months after rehab. But there was no further decrease in depressive symptoms, and there was a steady decline in relationship harmony and social relations.
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"These findings highlight the need to monitor the long-term psychosocial functioning of the spouses of stroke patients as part of a family-centered approach," Visser-Meily said. "It is a very difficult job to be a caregiver. You not only have to manage the care of the stroke patient, you also have to take care of yourself. Not only burden, but also depressive mood, harmony in the relationship, and social relations need more attention in clinical practice."
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about post-stroke rehabilitation.
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-- Robert Preidt
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