Objective: This study investigates the long-term effect of stroke on the quality of life and health of patients' spouses.
Method: Twenty-six spouses of stroke patients were interviewed by means of standardized questionnaires and qualitative interviews. The study participants had been living with the consequences of stroke for 3 years on average when the interviews were carried out.
Results: A stroke is often followed by considerable changes in everyday life and by role shifts within the relationship. In particular, depressive and aggressive changes in the patient's behaviour are experienced as burdensome. In addition to impairments in quality of life, psychological and psychosomatic troubles can also from the burden experienced. Depressive symptoms are the main factor in these negative consequences: the more a patient is assessed as depressive, the more his/her spouse reports health problems and poor quality of life.
Discussion: Long-term changes in everyday life and partnership can bring about significant chronic burden for the spouses of stroke patients. Hence, offers of support and counseling are required not only in the acute and post-acute stages of stroke, but also after inpatient rehabilitation has ended.