Growth and resilience following stroke : The experience of Chinese women

Abstract

Current studies on stroke recovery are primarily focused on symptoms, coping mechanism, problem solving, and family support during the rehabilitation process. The study aims to understand the personal experience of recovery as lived through by 11 Chinese female stroke survivors in Hong Kong. A naturalistic inquiry was used to investigate the experience from the perspective of the participants using long interview. The world of Chinese women recovering from stroke is one grounded in multidimensional pattern of both loss and transformation. All of these women who survived a stroke underwent internal bio-psycho-spiritual processes of “tumbling of the old self”, during which previous assumptions, available external resources, relationships, patterns of faith and identity structures were put to challenge the limits. Over time, these structures revealed inadequacy and fell apart, demanding the restructuring of new and more adequate ways to maintain continuity. The recovery process also marks a gateway to a new awakening of self. These women also witness graceful growth into a new stage of faith, and “transforming to a reconstructed self” with renewed sense of purpose, strengths, and resilience which manifests courage, mindfulness, mutuality and gratitude. Other findings include the beneficial effect in providing a holistic way of understanding these Chinese women survivors from positive and strength perspectives. These findings have implications for how social scientists, and in particular social workers, understand and interact with Chinese female survivors. It also provides culturally appropriate practice strategies, education, training and research in the field of stroke patient recovery and care.