Social Support and Psychosocial Dysfunction After Stroke: Buffering Effects in a Community Sample

This study examined the effect of social support as a mediator between stressful life events experienced by stroke survivors and outcome measured by psychosocial dysfunction. Eighty-five stroke survivors were interviewed at home two to 24 months after discharge from active rehabilitation. The sample was selected for a high number of stressful life events in the recent past, placing subjects at risk for psychosocial dysfunction. Eight components of social support were measured to determine the magnitude of their influence on adjustment. A new instrument, the Social Support Inventory for Stroke Survivors, was designed for this purpose. The General Health Questionnaire, used to measure psychosocial symptomatology, showed that 27% of the sample suffered psychosocial dysfunction. Multiple regression analysis explained 14.5% of total variance as due to social support and functional status. Risk analysis, using the odds ratio, indicated that an especially strong protective effect was produced by community social support.