Family Support in the Acute Aftermath of Stroke: Guidelines for the Integration of Ambiguous Loss Theory in Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Teams

Date of Award

Summer 8-23-2014

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Shelly Smith-Acuña

Second Advisor

Kimberly Gorgens

Third Advisor

John Holmberg

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Ambiguous Loss Theory, Stroke, Family support, Interdisciplinary team, Recovery

Abstract

Nearly 800,000 people experience cardiovascular accidents, or strokes, in the United States, annually. A growing number of patients survive the acute injury but live with permanently altered physical and cognitive abilities leaving them reliant on family members for informal but professional level care following hospital discharge. The nature of stroke with its often sudden and unexpected onset, combined with the significant functional changes in basic life skills and unclear prognosis for recovery leave the family members confused and overwhelmed. Given these emotional challenges, family members need special support from interdisciplinary teams as they support the recovery process. Ambiguous Loss Theory is introduced as a conceptual frame that can help health care professionals better meet the needs of families engaged in the care of a stroke victim. This paper highlights the ways that psychologists can help interdisciplinary treatment teams utilize Ambiguous Loss Theory to improve their collaboration with caregiving families.

Copyright Date

6-27-2014

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Emily Laux

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

39 pgs

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