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Global Meaning and Rehabilitation in People with Stroke

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2018

Elsbeth Littooij Open the ORCID record for Elsbeth Littooij [Opens in a new window] ,
Joost Dekker ,
Judith Vloothuis ,
Guy A. M. Widdershoven  and
Carlo J. W. Leget
Elsbeth Littooij*
Affiliation:
Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Joost Dekker
Affiliation:
Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Judith Vloothuis
Affiliation:
Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Guy A. M. Widdershoven
Affiliation:
EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Carlo J. W. Leget
Affiliation:
Department of Care and Welfare, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands
*
Address for correspondence: Elsbeth Littooij, MA, Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center Reade, PO Box 58271, 1040 HG Amsterdam, the Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

A stroke can have implications for all areas of a person's life. In research on adaptation to stroke, finding meaning is associated with better adaptation. This study focuses on one of the driving principles behind meaning-making processes: global meaning. The aim of this study was to explore whether global meaning (i.e., fundamental beliefs and life goals concerning core values, relationships, worldview, identity and inner posture) is associated with processes and outcomes of rehabilitation, as experienced by people with stroke. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and analysed using qualitative research methods. Aspects of global meaning were associated with the following elements of process and outcome of rehabilitation: motivation, handling stress and emotions, physical functioning and acceptance. The influence was mostly positive. If rehabilitation professionals took global meaning into account, respondents tended to associate this with better or faster recovery.

Keywords

Strokerehabilitationadaptationglobal meaningqualitative research
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 19 , Special Issue 2: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury , September 2018 , pp. 183 - 192
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2018 

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