The hypotheses generated indicated that young stroke patients are frustrated and invisible due to the fact that the rehabilitation setting does not acknowledge the different needs of young stroke patients compared with older patients.

External support from others, and positive attitudes towards return to work, were factors associated with successful return to work after stroke. Contrary to what was expected, independence in personal activities of daily living and cognitive factors were not associated with return to work to the same extent as persistent higher level of physical functions, such as ability to run a short distance.

There were different factors for being satisfied with life as a whole between men and women, indicating a need for a more gender-specific rehabilitation than is currently used. The impact that deteriorated ability to concentrate has on life satisfaction is an important finding that needs to be considered in the rehabilitation process of younger patients after stroke.

Deterioration was found in physical and cognitive functions greater in women then in men. Insecurity regarding physical exertion existed indicating that younger stroke patients might need information directly aimed at physical functioning and more gender specific than today. This study has raised the awareness that there also might be gender differences in other fields, which needs further studies.