Conceptualizing quality of life for elderly people with stroke

The relationship between big five personality and quality of life of people with disabilities: The mediating effect of social support

Objective

The quality of life of people with disabilities is of great significance to social stability and development. Increasing the quality of life among the disabled has become a worldwide topic. This study aims to examine the relationship between the big five personality and quality of life and the mediating effects of social support indicators in people with disabilities.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study with 358 people with disabilities (193 women and 165 men). A questionnaire was utilized to measure big five personality, social support, and quality of life variables. Pearson's correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were used to examine the relation among big five personality, social support, and quality of life.

Results

QOL was positively correlated with social support (r = 0.402, p < 0.001), extraversion (r = 0.324, p < 0.001), agreeableness (r = 0.474, p < 0.001), conscientiousness (r = 0.482, p < 0.001), and openness (r = 0.498, p < 0.001). QOL was negatively correlated with neuroticism (r = -0.186, p < 0.001). The mediating effect of social support on the relationship between neuroticism and the quality of life of people with disabilities was not significant. Social support significantly mediated the relationship between extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, and quality of life. Overall, positive personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness) in the Big Five Personality of people with disabilities could increase their quality of life by Perceiving social support. But social support could not significantly mediate the relationship between neuroticism and the quality of life of people with disabilities.

Conclusion

These new findings suggest that combining individual factors (personality) and environmental factors (social support) can better improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.

A bridge between a lonely soul and the surrounding world: A study on existential consequences of being closely related to a person with aphasia

This study illuminates existential consequences of being closely related to a person suffering from aphasia. Seventeen close relatives were interviewed and their narratives were interpreted with inspiration from Ricoeur, Levinas, Husserl, Winnicot, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The emerging interpretations resulted in four themes that illuminate a life characterized by lost freedom, staying, a new form of relationship, and growing strong together with others. An overarching theme suggests that a life together with an aphasic person means being used as a bridge between the aphasic person and the surrounding world. Moreover, it illuminates that a close relative to a person with aphasia is a person who does not leave, despite a heavy burden of lonely responsibility. It is concluded that community services need to fulfill their responsibility of providing support to informal caregivers as suggested by the Swedish lawmakers.

Predictors of life satisfaction in stroke survivors and spousal caregivers after inpatient rehabilitation

A global measure of life satisfaction has become increasingly important as an adjunctive outcome of healthcare interventions for people with disabilities, including those caused by stroke. Life satisfaction of stroke survivors mayaffectcaregivingspouses, as well. The purpose of this study was to identify, among many physical and psychosocial variables, specific variables that were associated with life satisfaction at 12 months after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, and variables that were predictive of life satisfaction 1 year later (at 24 months). Between 12 and 24 months, life satisfaction decreased for stroke survivors, while it increased for caregiving spouses. The relationship between the couple (mutuality) was the only variable that was a significant predictor of life satisfaction for both stroke survivors and their spouses.

Predictors of life satisfaction among stroke survivors and spousal caregivers: a narrative review

Stroke is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. It affects 15 million people globally and 60% either die or are permanently disabled as a result of stroke. In a rapidly aging population, stroke is expected to continue to be a major concern for survivors, their families and health and social care providers. Most stroke survivors live in the community and are assisted by family caregivers, especially spouses. However, stroke-related impairments and poststroke depression interfere with recovery and result in impaired relationships and reduced life satisfaction for the survivors and their spouses. New interventions are needed to assist stroke survivors and their spouses to cope with the many physical, emotional and environmental changes that result after stroke and enable survivors to become reintegrated into the community.

Quality of life in stroke patients

OBJECTIVES

To describe global and domain-specific quality of life (QOL) after stroke and to identify the factors that are important for post-stroke QOL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A hospital-based sample of 72 stroke patients was followed up for 6 months after stroke onset. QOL was assessed using the Polish version of the Quality of Life Index. Regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that best predicted QOL.

RESULTS

The overall QOL of stroke patients was relatively good, although worse than that of subjects in a comparison group. The highest QOL was found in the 'Family' domain, and the lowest in the 'Health and functioning' domain. Emotional support, depression and functional disability were three separate variables explaining 38% of the variance in QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Strengthening of family support, treatment of depression and reduction of physical dependence may be the decisive factors in improving post-stroke QOL.

Post-stroke quality of life and depression

BACKGROUND

Studies on the determinants of the quality of life (QOL) after stroke bring differing results depending on the applied concept of QOL. This may lead to confusion about the contribution of various factors to the post-stroke QOL.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was: (i) to investigate functional and psychological QOL in the individuals after the first ischemic stroke; (ii) to identify the most important correlates of QOL; and (iii) to examine the significance of depression among the other possible predictors of QOL.

METHODS

A hospital-based sample of 72 stroke patients was followed up to 6 months after stroke onset. QOL was assessed using the Polish version of the Quality of Life Index and the Sickness Impact Profile. A multiple regression procedure was performed to examine relationships between QOL and the study variables.

RESULTS

In spite of good recovery, the psychological and functional QOL of the examined patients was impaired, although the negative impact of stroke was greater on the objective QOL than on the subjective QOL. Stroke-related impairment, depression, functional disability and marital status predicted 80% of the variance in the functional QOL. Emotional support, depression and functional disability explained 38% of the variance in psychological well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression and physical disability were the most important predictors of QOL after stroke since their impact on QOL was more robust in comparison to the remaining variables. For improving QOL, a comprehensive care for patients aimed at reducing physical dependence and ameliorating depressive symptoms could be recommended.