Interpersonal relationship among stroke survivors and their primary caregivers: perspective of caregivers

Abstract

Background: Effective interpersonal relationship between caregiver and their stroke survivors is crucial for early recovery and maximizing participation in activities of daily living. In addition, it reduces caregiving stress and improves the life satisfaction of the primary caregivers. Aim: This research aim was to understand and explore the interpersonal relationship status among stroke survivors and their primary caregivers. Materials and methods: In this phenomenological study, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve primary caregivers of stroke survivors. Participants were selected purposively and qualitative thematic analysis was incorporated according to the six steps of Braun and Clarke. Results: Four themes emerged, 1) Challenges regarding interpersonal behavioral and emotional attachment, 2) Challenges in the interpersonal communicational relationship, 3) Way of coping strategies 4) Impact on caregiver’s life. The study shows that after a stroke there have been some significant changes in the behavioral, emotional, and communicational relationships among stroke survivors and their primary caregivers. Caregivers face difficulties to maintain interpersonal relationship with stroke survivors as well as there is some adverse effect on performing their day-to-day activities due to expending a great amount of time caring. Increased workload, restricted social life, and physical-mental strain were challenging phenomena for the family caregivers, they cope with the situation in both adaptive and maladaptive ways. Keywords: Emotional attachment, Interpersonal behavioral relation, Communicational relation, Coping Strategy, Impact on caregiver’s life