Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Supervisor
Dr. Denise Connelly
Second Advisor
Dr. Monica Maly
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the process of community reintegration after stroke from the patients’ perspectives. Ten participants returning home from in-patient rehabilitation were interviewed at pre-discharge and at two weeks, three months, six months and one year post-discharge. Grounded theory methods as described by Corbin and Strauss were used to guide data collection and analysis and a process of community reintegration emerged. Gaining physical function was required for the participants to be discharged home. Establishing independence once home involved increasing the ability to be able to do activities without assistance and resuming control over their own lives. “Renegotiating” required the participants to learn to accept the consequences of stroke and their need for assistance. Building self-efficacy for community living occurred throughout the entire process and enabled participants to engage in activities and establish themselves within roles and relationships essential for reintegrating into community.
Recommended Citation
Wood, Jennifer P., "Returning Home: Stroke Survivors Reintegrating into Community" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4743.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4743