Psychosocial predictors of quality of life following a stroke

Investigator: Ms Victoria Jolley (Doctorate student)

A growing number of researchers are recognising that stroke recovery needs to address not only functional impairments, but also the social and psychological effects of stroke.  These issues are particularly salient for the one third of all stroke patients who suffer post-stroke depression and for whom all of these aspects of recovery are even poorer than their non-depressed counterparts.  While these findings are becoming increasingly confirmed by new research and published literature, few studies have investigated the causal mechanisms behind these effects.  

The main objective of the proposed observational study is to examine the differences in quality of life for depressed and non-depressed stroke patients over a 12-month period post-stroke.  Furthermore, the study aims to identify the causal mechanisms underlying these expected effects.  The proposed study will ask and answer the research question ‘Do depressed stroke patients display poorer quality of life than non-depressed stroke patients over a 12-month rehabilitation period, and are these effects mediated by social support and cognitive adaptation factors?’

It is hoped that this study will provide insight into the salient factors that mediate good recovery outcomes for stroke patients, particularly those suffering post-stroke depression.  Further to this, it is hoped that the new knowledge generated from this study will be considered when applying rehabilitation programs to stroke sufferers so as to maximise their rehabilitation in all areas of recovery.

• Detailed Summary of Project Information (PDF)
• Information for willing participants
• Back to Stroke and Mental Health Index