Social activity contributes independently to life satisfaction three years post stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To determine social activity and life satisfaction three years post stroke and to investigate the contribution of social activity to life satisfaction controlled for the influence of demographic, physical and cognitive disabilities and social support.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-five patients with a stroke.


METHODS
The Life Satisfaction questionnaire (LiSat-9), the Social Support List - Interaction (SSL-12-I), the Barthel Index, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Frenchay Activities Index.


RESULTS
In total, 165 stroke patients participated, of whom 112 (67.9%) reported that they were satisfied with life as a whole. Socially inactive patients were significantly less often satisfied (50%, n = 26) than socially moderately (74.4%, n = 64) and socially highly active (81.5%, n = 22) patients. Lowest satisfaction ratings were found for sexual life (40.6%, n = 58). The socially inactive group was most satisfied with their partner relationship (85.1%, n = 40), the moderately and highly socially active group with their self-care ability (87.2%, n = 75 and 96.3%, n = 26, respectively). ADL and social activity were moderately correlated with life satisfaction. Social activity was found to explain an additional variance of the LiSat-9 total score (6.9%) and overall life satisfaction item (5.2%) after controlling for demographic variables, social support, ADL and cognitive functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Three years post stroke, many patients report ongoing dissatisfaction with various life domains. Social activity was related to life satisfaction.
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience and Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
H
H
Boosman
V P M
VP
Schepers
M W M
MW
Post
J M A
JM
Visser-Meily
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires