The role of positive affect on social participation following stroke

• Published in: Disability and rehabilitation 2012-12, Vol.34 (25), p.2119-2123
• Main Authors: Berges, Ivonne-M., Seale, Gary S., Ostir, Glenn V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Affect; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; emotions; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Pain Measurement - statistics & numerical data; Participation; Patient Discharge; Positive affect; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Recovery; Recovery of Function; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation Centers; Social Participation; Socioeconomic Factors; stroke; Stroke - psychology; Stroke Rehabilitation; Strokes; Underserved people; United States
• ISSN: 0963-8288; 1464-5165
• DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2012.673684

Purpose: To examine the association between positive affect and social participation in adults with first-time stroke after in-patient medical rehabilitation. Methods: A prospective cohort design using information from the Stroke Recovery in Underserved Populations database (SRUP) for the years 2005-2006. Data were collected at discharge from in-patient medical rehabilitation and 3 months post-discharge. Participants were aged 50 and older with first-time stroke (n = 605) and admitted to 1 of 11 in-patient medical rehabilitation facilities across the United States. Primary measures included a positive affect scale and a home and community social participation instrument. Results: The mean age was 71.6 years, 50.3% were women, and 56.5% were married. Results of cumulative logit models showed each 1 point increase in positive affect was significantly associated with a 17% odds of higher social participation (OR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.10, 1.25), after adjusting for demographics, clinical characteristics, and negative affect. Conclusions: High positive affect at discharge from in-patient medical rehabilitation was associated with higher levels of social participation 3 months post-discharge. The significant association between higher positive affect and higher levels of social participation adds to accumulating evidence linking positive affect with beneficial physical and psychological outcomes after an acute event such as stroke. Implications for Rehabilitation This study shows positive affect associated with greater social participation 3 months post-discharge from in-patient medical rehabilitation. Positive affect may be a critical factor in the recovery trajectory of the stroke patient. The assessment of positive affect during in-patient medical rehabilitation may identify those at risk for poor social participation post-discharge and may lead to the design of innovative interventions aimed at the re-integration of stroke individuals into the community.