A systematic review of qualitative studies on adjusting after stroke: lessons for the study of resilience

The impacts of stroke and the processes of adjusting to it unfold over time. This presents a new challenge for resilience research. Processes of adjustment, like resilience, draw on personal, inter-personal and structural resources. But the reviewed studies point to the importance of an emic perspective on adversity, social support, and what constitutes a "good" outcome when researching resilience, and to a greater focus on embodiment. Implications for Rehabilitation Stroke is a sudden onset condition which for around a third of people has long-term consequences. Stroke can cause a variety of physical and cognitive impairments, some of which may not be obvious to an outsider. As well as physical functioning, stroke can have a profound effect on survivors' sense of self and on their relationships. Stroke survivors' accounts suggest that relationships (including relationships with health care professionals) and structural factors (such as access to health services, employment possibilities and welfare systems) mediate efforts to adjust after stroke. While there is considerable overlap between notions of adjustment and resilience, the experiences of stroke survivors suggest further issues that need to be addressed in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of resilience.