Defining Spiritual Wellbeing in Survivors of Stroke: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study

 You blithering idiots wouldn't need this if you just created 100% recovery protocols! I don't think any stroke medical 'professionals' have two neurons to rub together for a spark of intelligence!

Defining Spiritual Wellbeing in Survivors of Stroke: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study

Devanshi Choksi, MBBS, MPH https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6312-5621, Mary Craven, MSc, Taylor McVeigh, BS, Akashleena Mallick, MBBS https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9805-7985, Tanzeela Ranman, MBA, Christina Kourkoulis, BS https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6330-9169, Sofia Constantinescu, BS, … Show All … , and Nirupama Yechoor, MD, MSc https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6479-9155 nyechoor@mgh.harvard.eduAuthor Info & Affiliations

Journal of the American Heart Association

New online

https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.125.044155

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Abstract

Background

Stroke recovery involves adapting to physical impairments, emotional distress(Provide 100% recovery protocols and you remove that distress about not recovering. CAN'T YOU IDIOTS THINK AT ALL?), and uncertainty about the future. Survivors of stroke may rely on spirituality and spiritual wellbeing practices to cope with illness. However, how survivors of stroke experience spiritual wellbeing remains unexplored. This study aimed to explore spiritual wellbeing in survivors of stroke and identify associated practices.

Methods

A convergent parallel mixed methods study using virtual focus groups with survivors of stroke and caregivers and survey data on spirituality using the All of Us research database was completed from October 2023 to February 2025. The framework method was used for qualitative data analysis and a 7‐item spirituality survey completed by survivors of stroke was analyzed from the All of Us research database using descriptive statistics. Data sets were integrated through joint displays to assess coherence.

Results

A total of 41 participants completed 6 focus groups. In this context, spirituality was defined as trust in a higher power and maintaining emotional balance. Focus groups identified spiritual wellbeing practices, including mindfulness, prayer, and spending time in nature. These findings converged with survey data (n=5428), with 70% of respondents endorsing connection with god/higher power. Spiritual practices extended beyond religious services, as 51.7% of respondents reported they did not attend religious services as a practice. Spending time in nature was a common practice, with 90.4% of respondents feeling spiritually touched by nature at least occasionally.

Conclusions

Spiritual wellbeing and its practices are important to survivors of stroke and can serve as a foundation for targeted interventions in poststroke care(NOT RECOVERY!). Future research should investigate spiritual wellbeing in diverse populations to develop tailored interventions for survivors of stroke.