Persevering through the ebb and flow of recovery, together: exploring the lived experiences of Chinese stroke survivor-caregiver dyads along the recovery trajectory

• Main Author: Ong, Crystal Hui Min
• Other Authors: Ho Hau Yan Andy
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Social sciences::Psychology::Applied psychology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/156764
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: Stroke presents copious challenges to stroke survivors and their family caregivers. However, dyadically-oriented stroke research remains limited, especially in Asia. As such, the present qualitative study aimed to explore the commonalities in the lived experiences of Singaporean stroke dyads and determine the mutual support mechanisms that help them persevere through recovery. Methods: By adopting a constructivist paradigm and a phenomenological stance, qualitative data were drawn from twenty-four 60 to 90-minute semi-structured interviews conducted with four Chinese dyads recovering from a stroke over two time points—at baseline [T1] (within three months after discharge) and three-month follow-up [T2]. The mean ages of survivors and caregivers were 59 years and 39 years, respectively. Findings: Adhering to a thematic analysis approach, four themes and eleven subthemes formed the Post-Stroke Dyadic Experience Model, which illuminated dyads’ shared reflections of post-stroke adversities (Theme 1: Tribulations), the mechanisms underlying dyadic coping (Theme 2: Dyadic Coping Mechanisms) that facilitated dyads’ recognition of the silver linings in their recovery journey (Theme 3: Revelations) and the recommendations they had for healthcare services and providers (Theme 4: Healthcare Transformations). Discussion: Even a stroke of minor severity entails a brusque rupture to stroke dyads’ lives. Findings posit that stroke recovery—a dyadic experience—goes beyond the restoration of survivors’ pre-stroke capacities. This adds complexity to the understanding of dyads’ evolving experiences across the recovery trajectory. Practical recommendations for healthcare providers on developing care resources and interventions adapted to dyads’ psychological, emotional and relational needs are also discussed.