Life satisfaction in spouses of patients with stroke during the first year after stroke

Author： Forsberg-Wärleby Gunilla Möller Anders Blomstrand Christian

ISSN： 1650-1977

Source： Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol.36, Iss.1, 2004-01, pp. : 4-11

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate whether spouses' life satisfaction changed between their life prior to their partner's stroke, and at 4 months and 1 year after stroke, and to study the association between spouses' life satisfaction and objective characteristics of the stroke patients.Subjects and methods: Sixty-seven consecutively enrolled spouses to first-ever stroke patients <75 years of age participated. Life satisfaction was measured with the Life Satisfaction Checklist (LiSat-9).Results: Compared with their life before stroke, the spouses' satisfaction with life as a whole, their leisure situation, daily occupation, sexual life, partner relationship and social contacts was lower 4 months after stroke. No significant change in life satisfaction was observed between 4 months and 1 year. Spouses of patients with sensorimotor impairment and low ability in self-care were less satisfied with their leisure situation, daily occupations, own ability in self-care, sexual life and partner relationship. Spouses of patients with cognitive or astheno-emotional impairments were less satisfied with their partner relationship, family life and sexual life. The associations were stronger at 1 year than at 4 months.Conclusion: There is a need for support over a long time period that focuses on the social, occupational and leisure situation of spouses as well as that of patients.