Psychosocial functioning of spouses in the chronic phase after stroke: improvement or deterioration between 1 and 3 years after stroke?

OBJECTIVE

To describe the psychosocial functioning of spouses of stroke patients at 1 and 3 years after stroke and identify predictors of substantial negative change in psychosocial functioning.

METHODS

Prospective study (N=119). Five domains of psychosocial functioning were assessed: burden, life satisfaction, depression, harmony in the relationship and social support. We used paired t-tests to describe changes and identified substantial changes using an Effect Size of 0.5 as the cut-off point.

RESULTS

Fifty-one percent reported significant burden, 46% were dissatisfied with life and 51% reported depressive symptoms 1 year after the stroke. Changes in psychosocial functioning between 1 and 3 years post stroke were reported by 27%-57% of the spouses. Although burden improved, life satisfaction, social support and harmony in the relationship deteriorated significantly. The percentage of spouses with depressive symptoms remained stable. Spouses with young children were at risk of deteriorating psychosocial functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

A large proportion of spouses experience serious caregiver burden, depression and decreased life satisfaction, 1 year as well as 3 years after the stroke, and harmony in the relationship, social support and life satisfaction decline over time.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Rehabilitation programmes should give more attention to the relationship with the patient's partner, family life and the maintenance of a support network.