Abstract
Background: Informal carers play a significant role in stroke recovery, but care provision can be challenging, including emotional distress, anxiety, and social isolation. With the abruptness of stroke presentation and the psychological stress of suddenly supporting a person with stroke, interventions that enhance carers’ ability to cope with and build resilience are required.
Purpose: To report the feasibility and benefits of a strengths-based resilience intervention (SBRI) for carers of stroke survivors.
Methods: Based on systematic review and qualitative findings along with experts’ advice, a recognised strengths-based resilience intervention was modified and evaluated using a randomised controlled trial comparing SBRI with usual care. SBRI was group delivered once a week for 8 weeks by a researcher with a psychology background and a trained Stroke Foundation advisor. SBRI focused on resilience skills, growth, flexible thinking, and identifying and cultivating character strengths. Qualitative interviews explored benefits and acceptability, and sought improvement suggestions. Data were analysed with the General Inductive Approach. Quantitative measures (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) scores were compared between groups using Cohen’s d.
Results: Of 27 participants (New Zealand European = 23, Māori = 2, Asian = 2, male carer = 1; age M (SD) = 61(7), range 52–77 years), 13 were randomised to the SBRI group. SBRI was feasible to deliver, acceptable, and potentially beneficial, but more suitable to carers two years post-stroke. A significant between-group difference was found for CD-RISC (p = 0.01, d = 1.01) post-intervention.
Conclusion: SBRI was found potentially beneficial and acceptable, and worthy of further investigation. Additional input is required for new carers. Future trials must broaden recruitment diversity. Implications: Interventions focusing on carers’ resilience should be integrated into stroke rehabilitation to ensure sustainability of care provided to stroke survivors, thus enhancing stroke recovery. Physiotherapists can be trained to deliver SBRI to develop their role of supporting carers.