Prestroke family interaction as a predictor of stroke outcome.

The Family of Assessment Device and clinical data for 60 stroke patients were used to predict outcome at six months and one year poststroke. Ratings of behavior control and affective responsiveness of the family predicted number of days of rehospitalization during the study. Problem solving scores, family communication skills, and patient self-care ability predicted family-rated patient adjustment. Family function was a better predictor of hospital stay than baseline ratings of typical predictors of stroke outcome. Family function represents an area for potential stroke intervention that may have more relevance to efficient health care delivery and the clinical status of stroke patients than has previously been noted.