The meaning and experience of being a stroke survivor : An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Murray, Craig (2004) The meaning and experience of being a stroke survivor : An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 26 (13). pp. 808-816. ISSN 0963-8288

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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the meaning and experience of being a stroke survivor. Method: Qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 stroke survivors (five face-to-face and five e-mail interviews). The interview data were transcribed verbatim (these were pre-transcribed in e-mail exchange) and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Four themes emerged from the analysis: Disrupted embodiment and the loss of self; Invisibility of emotional difficulties; Gender, romance and sexuality; and Social interaction. These themes, respectively, revealed that participants often had difficulties with psychological adaptation to the physically disabling aspects of their stroke; they experienced enduring and disabling emotional difficulties; they had a particular concern for the viability and maintenance of romantic and sexual relationships; and they often became socially withdrawn, resulting in an increased pressure on familial caregivers. Conclusion: The findings of the present work suggest the need for post-stroke counselling regarding romantic and sexual relationships, as well as promoting acceptance of some of the physical disabilities that come with having a stroke and encouraging positive self-regard. There would also appear to be a need to address the issue of social withdrawal and familial relationships, perhaps when health professionals convey information regarding the person's stroke, and in counselling targeted specifically at family caregivers.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Disability and Rehabilitation
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2742
Subjects:
?? rehabilitationr medicine (general) ??
ID Code:
26100
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
16 Mar 2009 11:56
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 10:26