The Relationship between the Characteristics of Social Support and Post-Stroke Depression

사회적 지지의 특성에 따른 뇌졸중 환자의 우울

The effect s of social support on post-stroke depression were investigated. Social support was classified into three categories : primary caregiver's, significant other's, and professional support. And primary caregiver's and significant other's support were divided into their relation, living state (which means they living together or not), frequency which they met at, and perceived satisfaction about the support, respectively. Professional support was divided into number of professionals who take care of, frequency they met at, and perceived satisfaction. The subjects were 254 stroke patients who had been discharged and were taken follow-up care at the out patient department. The depression was measured using CES-D. Out of the primary caregiver's support, only relation and perceived satisfaction were identified to affect the post-stroke depression. The patients who primarily their spouse takes care of were less depressed than those who their adult children take care of. None of the significant other's support affects the post-stroke depression. Only perceived satisfaction of the professional support was found to affect the post-stroke depression. So it was found that the quality, not the amount, of care was important to post-stroke depression. These results also support the claim that the facilities and teaching programs for primary caregivers are necessary.