Article

This meta-synthesis was conducted to explore qualitative spousal
accounts of coping and adaptation to caregiving when their partner experienced a
stroke. METHOD: Electronic databases were searched systematically and inclusion
and exclusion criteria were applied. The meta-synthesis was conducted using
guidance from Sandelowski and Barroso to extract salient data relating to coping
and adaptation. RESULTS: Twelve papers were identified for inclusion and seven
themes resultant themes were extracted: Seeking information; Searching for own
space and well-being; Suffering in silence; Putting one's own needs aside;
Adapting to a changed role; Social support and Hope and Optimism: instilling a
positive focus. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested spouses adopt a range of
adaptive coping strategies although several barriers to these were also
identified and discussed in relation to a number of clinical implications. The
limitations of this meta-synthesis were discussed, together with recommendations
for future research.

Langue : ANGLAIS