Psychological experience and social reintegration needs of young stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative studies

ABSTRACT

Background

The visible physical dysfunction and invisible psychological effects after stroke prevent young patients from returning to their pre-stroke roles and social activities.

Purpose/Aim

To comprehensively analyze the psychological experience and social reintegration needs of young stroke patients, which may be beneficial for improving quality of life and social reintegration after stroke.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search of 10 databases. The screening and quality assessment of the included articles were performed by the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI). Meta-aggregation was conducted to synthesize the findings of the included studies. We summarized the certainty of confidence using the Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual) approach.

Results

A total of 5506 studies were screened, of which 12 were included. Data synthesis suggested two new themes: (a) the self-growth process from denial of stroke to accepting stroke (high CERQual confidence), and (b) desire to regain pre-stroke normality, but having difficulty in the social reintegration process (high CERQual confidence).

Conclusion

Stroke, as a traumatic event, disrupts the life structure of young patients, and their needs of reintegration are not adequately considered. Interventions based on the principle of individuation should focus on this issue to restore continuity in life after stroke.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Clinical Evidence

1. Nursing staff need to consider young stroke patients’ constantly changing needs and provide age-adapted rehabilitation guidance in social reintegration from the patients’ perspectives.

2. Peer support should be provided for young stroke patients to help them share their disease experiences and reduce their psychological burden.

3. It is recommended that the awareness of “anyone of any age can suffer a stroke” be added when generating stroke promotional materials.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Yunnan Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission Medical Discipline Leader Cultivation Project (D-2017030).