Intra- and interpersonal effects of coping style and self-efficacy on anxiety, depression and life satisfaction in patient-partner couples after stroke.
J J E Welten, V C M Cox, W J Kruithof and 4 others
PMID 35297736WHAT IT FOUND
Proactive coping and self-efficacy in stroke patients and their partners predicted lower anxiety and depression in both individuals over the first year.
Intrapersonal effects were stronger, but a patient's coping style also reduced their partner's anxiety, supporting early screening of the couple rather than just the patient.
Key findings
01Proactive coping by the patient at 2 months was associated with lower anxiety and depression scores for the patient at 12 months.
02Proactive coping by the patient at 2 months was also associated with lower anxiety scores for the partner at 12 months.
03Self-efficacy of the partner at 2 months was associated with less anxiety, less depression, and higher life satisfaction for the partner, and with less depression and higher life satisfaction for the patient.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study population was relatively young (mean age 64) and mostly male patients, limiting generalizability to older or more diverse stroke populations. Baseline measurements of anxiety and depression at the time of stroke were not included, so changes over time could not be fully accounted for. Life satisfaction was measured with a single, non-validated item. The model explained a small amount of variance, indicating other unmeasured factors also drive these outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The work was supported by the VSB foundation, the Dutch Heart Foundation, and the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that improving a patient's coping style will automatically improve their partner's mental health. The study found that intrapersonal effects (how your own coping affects your own mood) were stronger and more numerous than interpersonal effects (how your coping affects your partner's mood).