An observational, cross-sectional and monocentric study assessing psychological and cognitive features as main predictors of psychological well-being in stroke survivors.

Abstract

Well-being is a relevant outcome after stroke, potentially impacted by mental health difficulties. We addressed the psychological and cognitive predictors of psychological well-being in a sample of 122 stroke survivors (75 males, 97 with ischemic stroke; mean age 64.1, mean NIHSS 2.9, mean distance from the acute event 5.1 years) admitted to the 'Carlo Besta' Neurological Institute. Trait anxiety (β = -0.257), state anxiety (β = -0.208) and symptoms of depression (β = -0.484) significantly predicted well-being variation (Adj. R2 = 0.687). These potentially modifiable factors are promising targets for interventions to reduce the burden of illness and enhance the recovery process.