Anxiety symptoms in spouses of stroke patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms in stroke patients' spouses and associated factors.


METHODS
Data were collected from 114 couples upon the patients' admission for rehabilitation as well as 1 year later and analysed with linear regression analyses. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to assess anxiety symptoms.


RESULTS
The results showed a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms at both time points of 28.9 and 27.6%. An association was found between spouses' anxiety symptoms at both time points and their gender as well as spouses' anxiety symptoms (at time 2) and patients' perceived disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-stroke rehabilitation process should include a focus on treating anxiety symptoms in patients' spouses in order to prevent the development of stress-related disorders in this group.
Wilz
Gabriele
G
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. gabriele.wilz@gp.tu-berlin.de
Kalytta
Tanja
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation