A qualitative study of the experience of psychological distress post-stroke.
There is little qualitative data on the emotional effect of stroke upon which to base hypotheses for psychological interventions. We used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals in the clinical range for psychological distress on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to explore their experiences of psychological distress. Three super-ordinate themes (the fear of stroke, loss of self and sense of isolation and aloneness) emerged. Processes involving a lack of acceptance and self-compassion underlined these themes. Internal isolation was found as a great problem. These themes may indicate targets for directed psychological interventions in people following stroke.
University of Dublin, Ireland.
Claire
C
Crowe
University of Dublin, Ireland.
Robert F
RF
Coen
University of Dublin, Ireland.
Nick
N
Kidd
University of Dublin, Ireland.
David
D
Hevey
University of Dublin, Ireland.
John
J
Cooney
University of Dublin, Ireland.
Joseph
J
Harbison
anxiety; depression; psychological distress; qualitative; stroke