ABSTRACT

Background: Changes in the everyday life and health of the significant others (SOs) of people living with stroke sequalae have been widely investigated. However, information regarding the frequency of the changes in daily life and the variables most associated with these perceived life changes is limited.

Aims: To examine the extent to which SOs of persons with aphasia (PWAs) experience changes in everyday life and health after the stroke event and how they evaluate these changes and to identify which variables are associated with these perceived life changes.

Methods & Procedures: A study-specific questionnaire about perceived changes in everyday life and health was completed by 173 SOs of PWAs living in Sweden (response rate 67.8%). The items concerned the SO’s working and financial situation, leisure time and social life, relationship with the PWA, household work and responsibility, and health and quality of life.

Outcomes & Results: The everyday life and health of the SOs were greatly affected by the stroke event. The changes the SOs experienced were mainly appraised negatively. The relationships with the PWA and immediate family were least affected by the stroke. The perceived existence and severity of physical, cognitive, and language impairments of the PWA were the variables most strongly associated with the everyday life situation of the participants. The sex and age of the participants and the nature of the relationship with the PWA were only marginally associated with the experience of the situation.

Conclusions: SOs’ perceptions of the PWA’s stroke-related disabilities and need for assistance may be a key factor in identifying SOs who may require support and guidance to help them cope with their new life situation.

摘要

背景：卒中后遗症患者的日常生活和重要他人 (SO) 的健康变化已得到广泛研究。然而，关于日常生活变化的频率以及与这些感知到的生活变化最相关的变量的信息是有限的。

目的：检查失语症 (PWA) 患者的 SO 在中风事件后经历日常生活和健康变化的程度，以及他们如何评估这些变化，并确定哪些变量与这些感知到的生活变化相关。

方法和程序：居住在瑞典的 173 名 PWA 的 SO 完成了一项关于感知日常生活和健康变化的特定研究问卷（回复率为 67.8%）。这些项目涉及 SO 的工作和财务状况、休闲时间和社交生活、与 PWA 的关系、家务和责任以及健康和生活质量。

结果和结果： SOs 的日常生活和健康受到卒中事件的极大影响。SO 所经历的变化主要受到负面评价。与 PWA 和直系亲属的关系受中风影响最小。PWA 的身体、认知和语言障碍的感知存在和严重程度是与参与者日常生活状况最密切相关的变量。参与者的性别和年龄以及与 PWA 的关系的性质与这种情况的经历仅略有关联。

结论： SOs 对 PWA 中风相关残疾和需要帮助的看法可能是识别可能需要支持和指导以帮助他们应对新生活状况的 SOs 的关键因素。