An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative Study
Introduction Caregivers play a critical role in improving stroke survivors’ outcomes. Yet, they often encounter numerous challenges in their caregiving process, with the lack of rehabilitative services and poststroke follow-ups. While extensive research has explored caregiver challenges primarily in...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | SAGE Open Nursing |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251354903 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850163772178563072 |
|---|---|
| author | Afnan Yousef Tunsi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN Anwar Tammar BSN, RN Jood Wahbah BSN, RN Fatimah Al-Marhoon BSN, RN Jomana Al-Mashjary BSN, RN Marym Alaamri PhD, MSN, BSN, RN Aisha Alhofaian PhD, MSN, BSN, RN Ruba Alharazi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN |
| author_facet | Afnan Yousef Tunsi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN Anwar Tammar BSN, RN Jood Wahbah BSN, RN Fatimah Al-Marhoon BSN, RN Jomana Al-Mashjary BSN, RN Marym Alaamri PhD, MSN, BSN, RN Aisha Alhofaian PhD, MSN, BSN, RN Ruba Alharazi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN |
| author_sort | Afnan Yousef Tunsi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Caregivers play a critical role in improving stroke survivors’ outcomes. Yet, they often encounter numerous challenges in their caregiving process, with the lack of rehabilitative services and poststroke follow-ups. While extensive research has explored caregiver challenges primarily in Western contexts, sociocultural factors significantly influence family caregiving experiences and roles, necessitating exploration within the Saudi cultural context. Objectives This study aimed to explore the experiences of family caregivers of stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia. Method A descriptive exploratory qualitative design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 20 family caregivers of stroke patients were recruited from three healthcare institutions. Data collection involved individual semi-structured interviews complemented by field notes. A thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results Four major themes captured caregivers’ experiences and challenges: (a) emotional and psychological strain, (b) barriers to navigating healthcare systems, (c) disrupted daily living and social isolation, and (d) resilience through coping mechanisms. Conclusion This study enhances the understanding of caregivers’ experiences of stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia. While the findings are aligned with global literature, they also reveal culturally specific challenges and coping mechanisms that are unique to the Saudi context. These insights underscore the need for culturally sensitive practices, including caregiver education, mental health support, and community-based services. To improve continuity of care and caregiver well-being, healthcare policies should prioritize integrated support systems and long-term care planning tailored to family-centered models of caregiving. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a69f9d45d70c4cf1823a2dcf49593ebf |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2377-9608 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SAGE Open Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-a69f9d45d70c4cf1823a2dcf49593ebf2025-08-20T02:22:09ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open Nursing2377-96082025-06-011110.1177/23779608251354903An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative StudyAfnan Yousef Tunsi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN0Anwar Tammar BSN, RN1Jood Wahbah BSN, RN2Fatimah Al-Marhoon BSN, RN3Jomana Al-Mashjary BSN, RN4Marym Alaamri PhD, MSN, BSN, RN5Aisha Alhofaian PhD, MSN, BSN, RN6Ruba Alharazi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN7 Faculty of Nursing, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Faculty of Nursing, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Faculty of Nursing, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Faculty of Nursing, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Faculty of Nursing, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Faculty of Nursing, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Faculty of Nursing, , Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaIntroduction Caregivers play a critical role in improving stroke survivors’ outcomes. Yet, they often encounter numerous challenges in their caregiving process, with the lack of rehabilitative services and poststroke follow-ups. While extensive research has explored caregiver challenges primarily in Western contexts, sociocultural factors significantly influence family caregiving experiences and roles, necessitating exploration within the Saudi cultural context. Objectives This study aimed to explore the experiences of family caregivers of stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia. Method A descriptive exploratory qualitative design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 20 family caregivers of stroke patients were recruited from three healthcare institutions. Data collection involved individual semi-structured interviews complemented by field notes. A thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results Four major themes captured caregivers’ experiences and challenges: (a) emotional and psychological strain, (b) barriers to navigating healthcare systems, (c) disrupted daily living and social isolation, and (d) resilience through coping mechanisms. Conclusion This study enhances the understanding of caregivers’ experiences of stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia. While the findings are aligned with global literature, they also reveal culturally specific challenges and coping mechanisms that are unique to the Saudi context. These insights underscore the need for culturally sensitive practices, including caregiver education, mental health support, and community-based services. To improve continuity of care and caregiver well-being, healthcare policies should prioritize integrated support systems and long-term care planning tailored to family-centered models of caregiving.https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251354903 |
| spellingShingle | Afnan Yousef Tunsi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN Anwar Tammar BSN, RN Jood Wahbah BSN, RN Fatimah Al-Marhoon BSN, RN Jomana Al-Mashjary BSN, RN Marym Alaamri PhD, MSN, BSN, RN Aisha Alhofaian PhD, MSN, BSN, RN Ruba Alharazi PhD, MSc, BSN, RN An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative Study SAGE Open Nursing |
| title | An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | An Exploration of the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Saudi Arabia; A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | exploration of the experiences of informal caregivers of stroke patients in saudi arabia a qualitative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251354903 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT afnanyouseftunsiphdmscbsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT anwartammarbsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT joodwahbahbsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT fatimahalmarhoonbsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT jomanaalmashjarybsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT marymalaamriphdmsnbsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT aishaalhofaianphdmsnbsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT rubaalharaziphdmscbsnrn anexplorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT afnanyouseftunsiphdmscbsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT anwartammarbsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT joodwahbahbsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT fatimahalmarhoonbsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT jomanaalmashjarybsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT marymalaamriphdmsnbsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT aishaalhofaianphdmsnbsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy AT rubaalharaziphdmscbsnrn explorationoftheexperiencesofinformalcaregiversofstrokepatientsinsaudiarabiaaqualitativestudy |