title: Stroke in young women: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: Stroke among adults of working age is increasing. We aimed to explore the experience of stroke among young women in Ireland. In total, 12 women (aged between 18 and 50 years) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four super-ordinate themes were identified: stroke as an illness of later life ('obviously it's for older people'), post-stroke selves, a desire for peer support and the impact of stroke on relationships. Findings indicate the importance of addressing the specific needs of younger stroke patients from admission to recovery through provision of inclusive all-age acute stroke services with tailored rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Maynooth, Ireland University of Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Dorothy M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Leahy
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Maynooth, Ireland Deirdre.Desmond@nuim.ie.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Desmond
authors.affiliation: Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coughlan
authors.affiliation: Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: Des
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.affiliation: Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: D Rónán
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: interpretative phenomenological analysis; meaning; patient satisfaction; qualitative methods; women’s health