Identifying Stroke Caregivers’ Coping Strategies: The Smile that has Struggled through the Tears-A Mixed-Method Research Approach

Authors

  • Md Mizanur Rahman Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • Norliza binti Suut Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • Zabidah binti Putit Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • Mohamad Taha Arif Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • Asri bin Said Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • Mohd Raili bin Suhaili Faculty of Medicine, SeGi University and Colleges, Sibu Campus, Sarawak.
  • Mohd Fadzillah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
  • Zainab binti Tambi Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • Ling How Kee Faculty of Social Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v23i1.70704

Keywords:

stroke; caregivers; coping strategies; problem-focused; emotion-focused

Abstract

Background: Sudden stroke had caused the caregivers minimal time to prepare for their role as carers. Some stroke caregivers were overwhelmed to adjust and accept new responsibilities. They need to reorganise their functions and establish new daily life routines in response to the chronic illness that happens with stroke survivors.

Objective: This study aimed to determine and explore coping strategies employed by stroke caregivers.

Methods: This mixed-method study involved 32 stroke caregivers from a community-based stroke rehabilitation centre in Kuching, Sarawak. Results: From quantitative analysis, most stroke caregivers employed problem-focused coping strategies (mean=56.66, SD=10.79), followed by emotion-focused coping strategies (mean=55.63, SD=10.29) in confronting the challenges of caring for stroke survivors. Data from qualitative findings revealed eight themes of coping strategies: adjustment to daily life, selfmotivation, sharing with other people, acceptance, avoiding thinking about the problem, hoping stroke survivors will get better, emotion suppression and self-blame.

Conclusion: This study’s outcomes provide crucial information about the burdens held by stroke caregivers when taking care of stroke survivors. Stroke caregivers need to adapt better and suitable coping strategies. This will prevent them from becoming overwhelmed by the accumulated stress from caring burdens. The long-term effect of coping strategies should positively assist stroke caregivers in managing the burdens effectively and fostering satisfaction in their life.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 01 January’24 Page : 130-140

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Published

2024-01-01

How to Cite

Rahman, M. M. ., Suut, N. binti ., Putit, Z. binti ., Arif, M. T. ., Said, A. bin ., Suhaili, M. R. bin ., Fadzillah, M. ., Tambi, Z. binti ., & Kee, L. H. . (2024). Identifying Stroke Caregivers’ Coping Strategies: The Smile that has Struggled through the Tears-A Mixed-Method Research Approach. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 23(1), 130–140. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v23i1.70704

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Md Mizanur Rahman, Norliza binti Suut, Zabidah binti Putit, Mohamad Taha Arif, Asri bin Said, Mohd Raili bin Suhaili, Mohd Fadzillah, Zainab binti Tambi, Ling How Kee

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