Gunilla Forsberg-Wärleby ^A1, Anders Möller ^A3, Christian Blomstrand ^A1
A1 Institute of Clinical Neuroscience The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University Göteborg Sweden
^A2 Department of Occupational Therapy Sahlgrenska University Hospital Göteborg Sweden
^A3 Institute for the Health of Women and Children The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University Göteborg Sweden

DOI: 10.1080/16501970310015191

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate whether spouses' life satisfaction changed between their life prior to their partner's stroke, and at 4 months and 1 year after stroke, and to study the association between spouses' life satisfaction and objective characteristics of the stroke patients. Subjects and methods: Sixty-seven consecutively enrolled spouses to first-ever stroke patients <75 years of age participated. Life satisfaction was measured with the Life Satisfaction Checklist (LiSat-9). Results: Compared with their life before stroke, the spouses' satisfaction with life as a whole, their leisure situation, daily occupation, sexual life, partner relationship and social contacts was lower 4 months after stroke. No significant change in life satisfaction was observed between 4 months and 1 year. Spouses of patients with sensorimotor impairment and low ability in self-care were less satisfied with their leisure situation, daily occupations, own ability in self-care, sexual life and partner relationship. Spouses of patients with cognitive or astheno-emotional impairments were less satisfied with their partner relationship, family life and sexual life. The associations were stronger at 1 year than at 4 months. Conclusion: There is a need for support over a long time period that focuses on the social, occupational and leisure situation of spouses as well as that of patients.