Factors Predicting Adaptation of Stroke Survivors

Abstract

The purposes of this survey research were to examine adaptation of stroke survivors and whether social support, coping, uncertainty in illness, symptom severity and cognitive thinking could predict adaptation of stroke survivors. The theoretical framework was based on Uncertainty in illness of Mishel (1988). One hundred and ten stroke survivors were recruited by using simple random sampling technique from Out-Patient Departments of Naresuan University Hospital and Buddhachinaraj Hospital. The instruments were composed of demographic data and illness questionnaire, Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, the ENRICH Social Support Questionnaire, Jaloweic coping questionnaire, The Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale - Community Form, National Institute of Heath Stroke Scale and MMSE-Thai. The reliability of Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, the ENRICH Social Support Questionnaire, coping questionnaire and The Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale - Community Form were .95, .91, .86 and .90, respectively. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Pearson's product moment correlation and Stepwise multiple regression statistics. The results revealed: 1. The mean score of adaption of stroke survivors was at good level (mean = 2.51, SD = .48) 2. Social support was found to be accounted for prediction for the adaptation of stroke survivors for 9.5% of total variances explained of adaptation of stroke survivors.