Couples' Coping After Stroke-A Pilot Intervention Study.

PURPOSE: This mixed-methods pilot study examined the impact of a psychoeducational intervention (PEI) to expand coping skills and identify themes for focused nursing strategies to assist poststroke couples.

DESIGN: Outcome variables, including dyadic coping, quality of life, depression, and self-care self-efficacy, were measured in experimental and control groups initially and after PEI was created with experimental couples in six home sessions.

METHOD: Repeated measures analysis of variance compared control (n = 5 stroke survivors; n = 5 spouses) and experimental groups' (n = 5 stroke survivors; n = 5 spouses) on outcomes.

FINDINGS: Significant increase occurred in experimental group stroke survivors in coping by oneself and quality of life; depressive symptoms decreased. Significant increase in positive dyadic coping occurred for experimental group spouses. PEI intervention generated a major theme.

CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-initiated cognitive coping intervention was supported by experimental group's elements.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nurses may use psychoeducational techniques to motivate stroke couples.