Return to Work after Stroke: A Mediation Study of Illness Perception
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Return to Work after Cerebrovascular Accident: A Mediation Study of Illness Perception
IRAS ID
310453
Contact name
Kieran McCaffer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 25 days
Research summary
This research is looking at illness perceptions. These are a set of beliefs that people develop to make sense of their symptoms and condition (Leventhal, Nerenz & Steele, 1984). Research has suggested that people’s perceptions of their illness vary, even between those with similar illnesses. Numerous previous studies have demonstrated a link between people’s illness perceptions and their ability to return to work after illness (Reiso et al., 2003; van der Giezen, 2000; Post et al., 2006). However, the effect of illness perception on return to work after stroke is less well known. Stroke, which occurs when poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death, is the second leading cause of death worldwide (Mackay & Mensah, 2004). There are huge differences in the rates of people returning to work after stroke and no one factor or combination of factors has been able to explain these differences so far. Given the role illness perception has already been shown to have in returning to work in other illnesses, this study aims to explore the possible role of illness perception in returning to work after stroke. This study will examine people's employment status up to 12-months after their stroke. Participants will be enlisted from local stroke services and charities. Each participant will complete a questionnaire either on-line or in paper format which should take a maximum of 20 minutes to complete and this will measure their illness perception and current employment status. The results of this study may help remove barriers to returning to work after stroke by looking at one of those potential barriers, illness perception. The findings will also help to improve stroke recovery and interventions.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1175
Date of REC Opinion
13 Oct 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion