| Summary |
In order to determine the effect of presence of a spouse on the stroke patient s adaptation, a retrospective chart review of stroke patients who had completed rehabilitation was conducted. The convenience sample was comprised of 67 stroke patients from the Family Practice service who received rehabilitation at Pitt County Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center over a 45 month time period. Callista Roy's Adaptation Model was the theoretical framework for the inquiry. The Barthel Index (Granger, Dewis, Peters, Sherwood, and Barrett, 1979) was utilized to measure the functioning level, or adaptation, of the patients on discharge from rehabilitation. Two hypotheses were tested. It was hypothesized that patients who had a stroke and completed a rehabilitation program would achieve a higher level of adaptation if they had a spouse than comparable patients without a spouse. This hypothesis was supported by the findings since the average Barthel Index score on discharge was 7.5 points higher in patients who had a spouse (Wilcoxon chi-square=4.17, p<.05). Although not supported statistically, it was also hypothesized that male stroke patients with a spouse would achieve a higher level of adaptation than female stroke patients with a spouse. The implications for selected constituents and recommendations for further study are presented. |
