Combined life satisfaction of persons with stroke and their caregivers: associations with caregiver burden and the impact of stroke

Abstract

BackgroundLittle is known about the life satisfaction of the person with stroke combined with their caregiver, i.e. the dyad, despite the fact that life satisfaction is an important rehabilitation outcome. The aim of this study was to describe the dyads combined life satisfaction and to understand this in relationship to the perceived impact of stroke in everyday life and caregiver burden.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, the life satisfaction of persons and their informal caregivers was measured in 81 dyads one year post stroke. Their global life satisfaction, measured with LiSat-11, was combined to a dyad score and the dyads were then categorized as satisfied, dissatisfied or discordant. The groups were compared and analyzed regarding levels of caregiver burden, measured with the Caregiver Burden scale, and the perceived impact of stroke in everyday life, measured with the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS).ResultsThe satisfied dyads comprised 40%, dissatisfied 26% and those that were discordant 34%. The satisfied dyads reported a significantly lower impact of the stroke in everyday life compared with the dyads that were not satisfied. As expected, dyads that were not satisfied reported a significantly greater caregiver burden compared with the satisfied dyads. The discordant group was further broken down into a group of dissatisfied and satisfied caregivers. The caregivers that were not satisfied in the discordant group perceived a significantly greater level of caregiver burden compared with the satisfied group. Even caregivers who were satisfied with life but whose care recipients were not satisfied reported caregiver burden.ConclusionsMeasuring combined life satisfaction provides a unique focus and appears to be a feasible way of attaining the dyads' perspective. The findings suggest that those dyads with a discordant life satisfaction could be vulnerable because of the caregivers' reported caregiver burden. These findings support the importance of a dyadic perspective and add to the understanding of the reciprocal influences between the caregiver and recipient. This knowledge has clinical implications and contributes to the identification of possible vulnerable dyads in need of tailored support.

Patterns of change and stability in caregiver burden and life satisfaction from 1 to 2 years after severe traumatic brain injury: A Norwegian longitudinal study

“…These findings are in accordance with a Swedish cross-sectional study that investigated burden and life satisfaction in caregivers of patients with stroke (Bergstrom et al, 2011). This is the first study to investigate caregiver burden and life satisfaction simultaneously after severe TBI.…”

“…Livingston et al, 2010a), which was consistent with the findings of a cross-sectional study (Kreutzer et al, 2009). One investigation of caregiver burden and life satisfaction in caregivers of patients with stroke reported that a lower life satisfaction was associated with higher burden (Bergstrom et al, 2011).…”

“…This is the first study to investigate caregiver burden and life satisfaction simultaneously after severe TBI. Only two Swedish studies have previously investigated this relationship in caregivers of patients with dementia, who reported moderate burden and good life satisfaction at the same time (Andren & Elmstahl, 2005); and caregivers of patients with stroke, who reported lower life satisfaction and higher burden (Bergstrom et al, 2011). Both studies used the same CBS as in the present study, although life satisfaction was measured with the Caregiver Assessment of Satisfaction Index and the Li-Sat 11, respectively.…”

“…Since subscales consisted of different numbers of questions, an index score was calculated based on the sum score of each subscale divided by the total number of items. Index scores of 1.0-1.99 indicated a low burden, 2.0-2.99 a moderate burden, and 3.0-3.99 a high burden (Bergstrom et al, 2011;Elmståhl et al, 1996). .…”

Prendre soin des personnes après AVC : réactions émotionnelles des aidants informels hommes et femmes

“…Notre taux de participation estimé est de 26,5 %, et donc similaire à celui d'autres études (27 %) [38]. L'envoi des demandes de consentement par voie postale réduit inévitablement le taux de réponses.…”