Article

Post-stroke depression occurs in one-third of stroke survivors with a
similar risk of development across short, intermediate and long-term recovery
stages. Knowledge of factors influencing psychological morbidity beyond the first
year post-stroke can inform long-term interventions and improve community service
access for stroke survivors. This paper aimed to identify the physical and
psycho-social functioning status of stroke survivors beyond 12 months
post-stroke. Qualitative processes explored the longer term experiences of
psychological morbidity and service access needs. METHOD: A cross-sectional
follow-up of participants from a prospective cohort study. In that study,
patients and were followed for 12 months post-stroke. In this study, participants
from that cohort study were interviewed up to five years post-stroke. Data
generation and analysis were concurrent and were analysed thematically, employing
a process of constant comparison. RESULTS: Our sample included 14 participants,
aged 58-89 years at an average of three years post-stroke (range 18 months to
five years). Our qualitative key themes emerged as follows: physical impacts on
post-stroke psychological morbidity, the experience of psychological distress,
factors attenuating distress and service delivery implications. CONCLUSIONS: The
experience of psychological morbidity persists beyond 12 months post-stroke,
having a profound impact on community access, and social participation. Clinical
implications are a need for long-term psychological monitoring post-stroke and
for ongoing rehabilitation that addresses disability, community participation and
social support.

Langue : ANGLAIS