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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Forsberg-Wärleby
Gunilla
G
Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. gunilla.forsberg.warleby@neuro.gu.se
Möller
Anders
A
Blomstrand
Christian
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors