“I’ve got somebody there, someone cares”: what support is most valued following a stroke?

Abstract

Purpose: There is often a need for increased support following a stroke. This study explored what types of support are provided by different network members and what support functions are most valued.

Methods: Adults with first stroke were recruited from a stroke unit and participated in in-depth interviews 8–15 months poststroke. Framework Analysis was used to build thematic and explanatory accounts of the data.

Results: Twenty-nine participants took part. Main themes to emerge were as follows: the spouse was the most important provider of support; children were a relatively stable source of support, although many participants expressed reservations about worrying a child; relatives and friends typically provided social companionship and emotional support rather than on-going practical support. The only universally valued support function was the sense that someone was concerned and cared. Other valued functions were as follows: social companionship including everyday social “chit chat”; practical support provided sensitively; and, for many, sharing worries and sensitive encouragement. The manner and context in which support was provided was important: support was easiest to receive when it communicated concern, and was part of a reciprocal, caring relationship.

Conclusions: As well as measuring supportive acts, researchers and clinicians should consider the manner and context of support.

Implications for rehabilitation

• The manner in which support was provided mattered: support was easier to receive when it communicated concern.

• The spouse was the most important source of all support functions; children, relatives and friends were important providers of emotional and social companionship support.

• Researchers and clinicians should not only focus on what support is received, but also the context (e.g., contribution, reciprocity, quality of relationship) and manner (e.g., responsiveness, sensitivity) of the support.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• social support
• family
• friends
• aphasia

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the support and advice of Jane Ritchie. We would also like to thank the participants and stroke unit staff at St Mary’s hospital, London. The study was supported by a grant from the Consortium for Healthcare Research, funded by the Health Foundation, awarded to Professor Katerina Hilari.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by a grant from the Consortium for Healthcare Research, funded by the Health Foundation, awarded to Professor Katerina Hilari.