title: Coping with the challenges of recovery from stroke: long term perspectives of stroke support group members.
abstract: Recovery from stroke poses significant physical and psychological challenge. To develop appropriate psychological support interventions, increased understanding of the challenge and coping behaviours that promote adjustment is critical. This study presents results from a series of focus groups with stroke support group members. The evolution of challenges faced during hospitalization, rehabilitation and into the longer term is described. The active, social and cognitive coping strategies reported as helpful are explored. In the long term, acceptance of life changes, engagement in new roles and activities and the presence of social support appear to be key factors in post-stroke adjustment.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ch'ng
authors.forename: Davina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McLean
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult