title: What Factors Predict Who Will Have a Strong Social Network Following a Stroke?
abstract: Measures of social networks assess the number and nature of a person's social contacts, and strongly predict health outcomes. We explored how social networks change following a stroke and analyzed concurrent and baseline predictors of social networks 6 months poststroke.
  
  
  
  We conducted a prospective longitudinal observational study. Participants were assessed 2 weeks (baseline), 3 months, and 6 months poststroke. Measures comprised the Stroke Social Network Scale (Northcott & Hilari, 2013), Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (Brott et al., 1989), Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test (Enderby, Wood, Wade, & Langton Hewer, 1987), Frenchay Activities Index (Wade, Legh-Smith, & Langton Hewer, 1985), and Barthel Index (Mahoney, Wood, & Barthel, 1958). Analyses of variance and standard multiple regression were used to analyze change and identify predictors.
  
  
  
  Eighty-seven participants (37% with aphasia) were recruited; 71 (16% with aphasia) were followed up at 6 months. Social network scores declined poststroke (p = .001). Whereas the Children and Relatives factors remained stable, the Friends factor significantly weakened (p < .001). Concurrent predictors of social network at 6 months were perceived social support, ethnicity, aphasia, and extended activities of daily living (adjusted R2 = .42). There were 2 baseline predictors: premorbid social network and aphasia (adjusted R2 = .60).
  
  
  
  Social networks declined poststroke. Aphasia was the only stroke-related factor measured at the time of the stroke that predicted social network 6 months later.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Northcott
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hilari
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001037:Aphasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult