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Article Excerpt
Individuals with aphasia may frequently experience stress as a result of their compromised linguistic skills. However, little is known about psychosocial factors, such as coping resources, and psychological stress in this population. The aim of the current study is to explore coping resources, perceived stress, and life experiences in individuals with aphasia. Fourteen individuals with aphasia and 14 healthy controls completed questionnaires regarding coping resources, perceived stress, and life experiences. The aphasia group reported fewer coping resources and greater perceived stress than the healthy control group. The frequency of negative life events over the previous year did not differ between the two groups. Results suggest that rehabilitation of individuals with aphasia should address the need to increase the amount of coping resources available to these individuals in order to lessen their perceived stress.
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Stress is generally experienced when an individual is confronted with a situation that is appraised as personally relevant and threatening and for which adequate coping resources are unavailable (Lazarus, 1985). For individuals with aphasia, stress may be frequently experienced as a result of their compromised linguistic skills (Code, Hemsley, & Herrmann, 1999; Heeschen, Ryalls, & Hagoort, 1988; Marshall & Watts, 1976; Murray & Ray, 2001; Ryalls, 1984). In fact, there is a growing body of literature focusing on stress-related reactions such as anxiety, frustration, depression, and social isolation in the aphasia population (e.g., Gainotti, 1997; Parr, Byng, & Gilpin, 1997; Sapir & Aronson, 1990; Starkstein & Robinson, 1988). However, little is known about the psychological stress of those with aphasia or psychosocial factors, such as coping resources that lessen perceived stress.
To more fully understand stress in individuals with aphasia, the coping resources and the perception of stress in those with aphasia should be explored. Coping resources are the relatively stable personal and social factors that influence how individuals try to manage life crises and transitions (Moos & Schaefer, 1993). Lazarus and Folkman (1984) describe coping resources as properties of the person, such as health and energy, positive beliefs, problem-solving skills, social skills, social support, and material resources. Antonovsky (1979) referred to these resources as general resistance factors. The manner in which an individual copes relies heavily on these resources (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). If the resources are inadequate, an individual may be vulnerable to stress. Some of the resources described by Lazarus and Folkman may be particularly decreased in individuals with aphasia, given that impaired linguistic skills may hinder their social skills and in turn limit their social support. Recently, Hilari and Northcott (2006) found that there are changes in social support for those with aphasia. Specifically, 63.9% of their participants with aphasia had less contact with friends than prior to their stroke. This aligns with previous research suggesting that social networks are reduced following stroke (Astrom, Adolfsson, Asplund, & Astrom, 1993; Knapp & Hewison, 1998). In addition to changes in social support, health and energy are compromised after stroke, and a change in material resources may occur poststroke. Therefore, if the coping resources of individuals with aphasia are insufficient for the demands encountered daily, the perception of stress may increase. Thus, the perception of stress is an outcome variable related to coping resources, among other factors (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983).
Additionally, certain life events viewed as negative, such as death of a spouse or loss of employment may be perceived as stressful. As a result of impairments resulting from stroke, some individuals may lose their jobs or endure other negative life events related to the stroke. It is possible that individuals with aphasia may experience these more frequently than healthy adults of similar ages. Therefore, exploring the frequency of negative life events in those with aphasia may provide further insight into the psychological stress of this population compared to healthy adults.
The purpose of this study is to further explore psychological stress in individuals with left hemisphere stroke and aphasia by examining their coping resources, perceived stress, and life experiences. Specifically, the following research questions are addressed:
1. Do individuals with left hemisphere stroke and aphasia have fewer coping resources and greater perceived stress than healthy controls?
2. Are...
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