Young Women Stroke Survivors and Their Desire for Peer Support. (6th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stone, Sharon-Dale
• Other Names: Kessels R. P. Academic Editor.; Pickard A. S. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN stroke. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-01-06
• Subjects: Cerebrovascular disease -- Periodicals; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Cerebrovascular disease; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.81
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/231725
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-9454

Abstract

Abstract : The concerns of young stroke survivors are not well known. The aim of this paper is to draw on data from a larger study to show that young women who survived a hemorrhagic stroke desire access to peer support, but there is not widespread access to peer support. Open-ended interviews were conducted with an international sample of 28 women to learn about their poststroke experiences and were analyzed qualitatively for common issues and themes. A prominent theme across the interviews was the significance of age-similar peer support. Participants discussed feeling alone and misunderstood and wanting to have access to peer support. In conclusion, peer support may help to enhance psychological well-being, but the survivor's own understanding of her peers must be centrally considered.