Well-being of elderly stroke survivors in Chinese communities: mediating effects of meaning in life

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the role of meaning in life as a mediator for the relationship of physical functioning, social support, and optimism with well-being among elderly Chinese stroke survivors.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 214 community-dwelling older stroke survivors (128 men and 86 women), ranging from 60 to 88 years. The physical functioning, social support, optimism, meaning in life, and subjective well-being of the participants were measured.Results: Structural equation modeling revealed that meaning in life fully mediates the relationship of physical functioning, social support, and optimism with subjective well-being.Conclusion: This study examines the role of meaning in life in stroke experience from an existential perspective. The modifiable features of meaning in life may offer an intervening angle for improving the well-being of elderly stroke survivors.

Keywords:

• stroke
• physical functioning
• social support
• optimism
• meaning in life

Acknowledgements

We thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions on the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Southwest University for researcher groups [grant number TR201204-1,7] and the Social Sciences Foundation of the Ministry of Education in China [grant number 08JJDXLX268] and the project supported by the Postdoctoral Sustentation Fund [grant number 2013M540690, XM20120031].