Psychosocial Adaptation Following Stroke: Perceptions of Older People in Taiwan

Background. The impact of stroke on the emotional and psycho-social status of patients is significant. The theory and knowledge relating to the consequences of a stroke and the psycho-social needs of patients with stroke are becoming increasingly important. To date, there appear to be relatively few qualitative-based studies relating to stroke patients' psycho-social adaptation processes that shed light on this topic.

Aim. The aim of this paper is to understand hospitalised stroke patients and their perceptions of their psycho-social adaptation.

Method. A total of fourteen patients who had an intracerebral infarction were interviewed using semistructured interviews on two occasions. Barrett's power theory was used to help organise and summarise interview data. NUD*IST software and cognitive mapping were used to manage and present findings.

Findings. The central phenomena that emerged from the interviewed data was “Psycho-social adaptation following a stroke.” Other main categories linked to and embraced within this phenomena were: function of social support; perception of family support; nature of awareness; type of choices; degree of freedom; manner of involvement; gain-related psychological reactions; and loss-related psychological reactions.

Conclusion. A meaningful future for stroke patients depends on their psycho-social adaptation, which can be achieved through having them actively involved in their recovery and through the receipt of focused support. The findings support the conceptualisation of psycho-social adaptation of stroke patients based on Barrett's power theory.

Relevance to clinical practice. If nurses have an understanding of patients' psycho-social adaptation processes following a stroke during hospitalisation, they can help to incorporate patients' internal strength and external resources into the plan of care, thus providing effective psycho-social support and person-centred care.