SELF-MANAGEMENT DEVELOPS THROUGH DOING OF EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES— A LONGITUDINAL QUALITATIVE STUDY OF STROKE SURVIVORS DURING TWO YEARS POST-STROKE

Background: The way stroke survivors give meaning to their process of self-management post-stroke is unclear. This study explored how stroke survivors managed their lives, gave meaning to their self-management post-stroke and... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
The way stroke survivors give meaning to their process of self-management post-stroke is unclear. This study explored how stroke survivors managed their lives, gave meaning to their self-management post-stroke and how this evolved over time.
Method:
Data was generated through participant observations and interviews of 10 stroke survivors at their homes at 3, 6, 9, 15 and 21 months post-discharge. A constant comparative method was chosen to analyze the data.
Results:
‘Situated doing’ was central in stroke survivors’ development of self-management and their sense of being in charge of everyday life. ‘Doing’ provided stroke survivors with an arena to explore, experience and develop self-management and co-management and the feeling of being in charge. The influence of partners on this process was sometimes experienced as empowering and sometimes as constraining. The sense of self-management and being in charge differed from managing only at the level of activities to full role management and experiencing a meaningful life post-stroke.
Conclusion:
The findings of this study indicate that ‘doing’ is an important arena to develop self-management and being in charge post-stroke. Moreover, self-management interventions should not only focus on managing stroke consequences and activities but also address meaning full living post-stroke.
Application to Practice:
With their occupational lens on self-management, and a focus on role management and meaningful activities, occupational therapists can play an important role in the delivery of stroke self-management interventions. Moreover, concepts co-, and couple management between stroke survivors and their relatives will be discussed and applied to practice.