Caregivers' Perceived Function of Stroke Support Groups in the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan Area
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore why family member caregivers of stroke survivors with a variety neurogenic communication disorders assimilated into their loved one's stroke support group and continued to participate on a regular basis.Phenomenological research allowed the researchers to explore the caregivers' lived experiences and thus identify themes based upon their perceptions and opinions.Research studies describing the phenomenon of caregiver assimilation and why caregivers are actively involved in the stroke survivors' group were not found.Instead, many research studies have focused upon the social and emotional benefits of support groups for caregivers and support groups for survivors of neurogenic incidents.Caregivers of stroke survivors with a neurogenic communication disorder from different social, economic, and cultural backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews in order for the researcher to understand their lived experience of participation in their loved ones' stroke support group.The findings suggest that caregivers joined these support groups for a variety of reasons including the goals of learning communication strategies to improve their interactions with the stroke survivors, discovering resources available in the local community and around the country, counteracting the lack of information received upon medical discharge, and the development of social support gleaned from other caregivers present in the group.
Author: Erin M. Kibler
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Topic: Nursing care and research
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2275586711