Predictors of distress, coping & quality of life in stroke caregivers.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychological Flexibility and Emotion Regulation as predictors of distress, coping and Quality of Life in family caregivers of people who have had a stroke.
IRAS ID
240720
Contact name
Adele Simpson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Over 2% of the Scottish population have experienced a stroke. Many of those individuals require additional support upon returning home. This support is often provided by family members. Providing care to a loved one can be a rewarding role. However, it can also be associated with reduced mental and physical health outcomes and increased social isolation. Therefore, ensuring caregiver wellbeing is vital for both patients and their families. \n\nIn order to support caregivers it is necessary to better understand factors which may predict negative outcomes experienced by some caregivers. This study will look at two possible factors: Emotion regulation (ability to regulate emotion) and Psychological flexibility (awareness of the present and ability to act consistently with your values and goals). Our key research question will be: Do higher levels of psychological flexibility and emotion regulation predict reduced distress, improved quality of life (QoL) and greater use of problem focused coping in family caregivers of stroke survivors?\n\nParticipants recruited for this study will be adults who provide regular care (at least 3 times per week) to a relative following a stroke. Individuals with major mental health difficulties, dementia or a learning disability will be excluded as well as those with previous family care experience and non-english speakers. Participants will be recruited via Chest Heart Stroke Scotland (CHSS) nurses, NHS Grampian Neuropsychology and 3rd sector organisations.\n\nIndividuals who could take part will be provided with a participant pack containing: a cover letter, information sheet, a demographic questionnaire and a set of measures. Participants will be asked to complete the pack and return it to the researcher, via post. Data will then be collated and statistically analysed before being written up for a doctoral thesis and possible later publication.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
18/NS/0082
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion