Factors Predicting Stroke Survivors’ Activities of Daily Living from Family Caregivers’ Perspectives in Thailand

Abstract

Background: Stroke survivors tend to face disabilities that impact activities of daily living (ADL). However, limited studies, particularly across diverse cultural contexts in Thailand, have examined the factors affecting the ADL of stroke survivors from the perspectives of family caregivers. Purpose: This study aimed to examine factors predicting the activities of daily living of stroke survivors from the perspectives of family caregivers. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational research design using secondary data was employed. Ninety-nine family caregivers from diverse cultural backgrounds who met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study using stratified random sampling and completed seven questionnaires, including demographics, perceived self-efficacy, ADL, family relationships, social support, caregiver stress, and illness beliefs. All data were analyzed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and multiple linear regression with the stepwise method. Results: Family caregivers perceived that stroke survivors had a moderate level of ADL (M = 12.88, SD = 6.23). Age, gender, communication ability, and severity of stroke were significantly correlated with ADL (p <0.01). Moreover, the severity of stroke, gender, improved symptoms, education, and age of stroke survivors were significant predictors of ADL, accounting for 41.6% of the variance (F = 13.27, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study indicated that the severity of stroke, gender, improved symptoms, education, and age of stroke survivors could predict ADL. These findings offer valuable insights for nurses, highlighting the importance of effectively rehabilitating stroke survivors before discharge from the hospital to home to achieve better clinical outcomes and an improved quality of life.