The Importance of Social Relationship and Support System after Stroke: A Qualitative Inquiry

Ashiru H Mohammad; Nabilla AA Mohsein; Loh S Yim

doi:10.34058/njmr.v16i2.89

Ashiru H Mohammad Center for Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Nabilla AA Mohsein Center for Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Loh S Yim Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34058/njmr.v16i2.89

Keywords: Stroke, quality of life, qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Stroke is currently the main cause of neurological disability in Nigeria. The impact of stroke can be devastating, leaving a person with significant residual impairment of physical, psychological, and social functions. The residual physical consequences can pose a significant threat to a survivor’s quality of life: yet, we have an incomplete understanding of how stroke affects long-term quality of life.

Objective: To develop a thorough understanding how essential social relationship and support systems are to enabling long-term QOL following stroke.

Methods: This study reports finding from an in-depth interview with 15 stroke patients to understand the importance of social relationship and support system as essential dimensions of long-term quality of life following stroke.

Results: The key themes identified by the patients were: social and instrumental supports, communication, autonomy, social role adjustments, sexual relationship and stigma. A lot of the interviews with the patients consisted of narratives regarding how stroke altered social relationships with families, spouses, friends and significant others.

Conclusion: The finding of this study is consistent with the pre-existing researches attesting the importance of social relationship and support systems after stroke and therefore recommend including assessment of social functions and social support in estimating stroke-related quality of life.

Author Biography

Ashiru H Mohammad, Center for Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia

PhD candidate

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia

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