The caregiving relationship and quality of life among partners of stroke survivors: A cross-sectional study

Fifty-six partner caregivers completed a postal survey that included measures of HRQL (SF-36), caregiver role (negative and positive aspects), relationship satisfaction, reciprocity and balance. Data were also collected on the care recipients' quality of life (Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale).Compared to a normative sample, caregivers' HRQL was lower for all SF-36 domains. Care recipient and caregiver age, care recipient quality of life and caregiver role (negative) significantly predicted physical component summary scores on the SF-36, while care recipient quality of life and caregiver role (negative) significantly correlated with mental component summary scores. Relationship satisfaction and intrinsic rewards of caregiving were found to be important predictors of positive aspects of the caregiver role. Caregivers who viewed their relationship as less balanced in terms of give and take had significantly greater caregiver burden than those who viewed their relationship as more equitable.The study highlights the importance of taking a broader approach to examining partner caregiving in the context of stroke, in terms of the caregiving relationship and their influence on the health and well-being of caregivers.Attending to the needs of a family member who has suffered a stroke, has been the subject of considerable research [1-5]. Similar to other areas of caregiving the emphasis has been on burden associated with this role, conceptualized predominantly in terms of emotional distress, social disruptions and economic limitations [1-3]. Fewer studies, however, have investigated the more global construct of quality of life in caregivers of a family member following stroke. Yet, an understanding of how caregiving influences elements such as life satisfaction, psychological, social, and physical functioning is important in fully appreciating the impact of caregiving [3,6].Of those studies that have been conducted, in general, the findings indicate that caregiving nega