Introduction
Stroke is a critical cerebrovascular condition characterized by the sudden rupture of cerebral blood vessels or damage to brain tissue due to obstruction. It is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with approximately 7.3 million deaths attributed to stroke in 2021. Advances in treatment and rehabilitation have increased the long-term survival rate of stroke patients, resulting in a growing population of individuals living with the aftermath of a stroke.
Objective
This study aims to systematically evaluate and explore the factors influencing family resilience in stroke patients and their caregivers through a comprehensive meta-analysis.
Methods
The meta-analysis was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the identifier CRD42024588737. A thorough search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and others, up to August 2025. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the studies. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software.
Results
Seventeen studies were included, encompassing a total of 4,252 participants. The findings revealed that family caregivers generally exhibited higher levels of family resilience compared to stroke patients. No significant relationship was found between family resilience and demographic factors such as gender, marital status, occupational status, disease duration, stroke history, and type. However, factors like family function, social support, self-efficacy, and positive coping were significantly related to family resilience for both patients and caregivers. Negative coping did not significantly affect family resilience.
Discussion
The study highlights the dual perspectives of stroke patients and family caregivers in understanding family resilience. Stroke patients often face challenges such as limb paralysis, communication impairments, and cognitive decline, leading to negative emotional states like depression and anxiety. These challenges necessitate lifelong care from family caregivers, who provide essential support and bear significant burdens.
Family caregivers experience both objective and subjective burdens, impacting their quality of life and psychological well-being. Despite these challenges, some families demonstrate remarkable resilience, adapting positively to the crisis and utilizing available resources effectively.
Factors Influencing Family Resilience
The analysis identified several key factors influencing family resilience:
– **Social Support:** High levels of social support are crucial for enhancing family resilience, providing necessary resources to cope with challenges.
– **Family Function:** Effective family functioning, including adaptive communication and shared beliefs, plays a pivotal role in fostering resilience.
– **Self-Efficacy:** Confidence in caregiving abilities and patient self-management contributes to a positive cycle of resilience.
– **Positive Coping:** Adopting positive coping strategies helps families navigate adversity and build resilience.
– **Caregiver Burden:** A negative correlation exists between caregiver burden and family resilience, highlighting the need for external support to alleviate stress.
Conclusion
This systematic review and meta-analysis provide valuable insights into the factors affecting family resilience in stroke patients and caregivers. The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to enhance resilience, improve quality of life, and reduce the burden on families and society. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to further explore the dynamic changes and mechanisms of family resilience.
Limitations
The study acknowledges limitations such as high heterogeneity among included studies, differences in study design, sample characteristics, and measurement tools. Additionally, the geographic focus on Asian populations may limit the generalizability of the findings. Further research with diverse populations and rigorous experimental designs is needed to deepen the understanding of family resilience mechanisms.
🔗 **Fuente:** https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1716213/full