Depressive Symptoms and Anger Expression Among Survivors After Stroke

Stroke is a frequent cause of death and one of the most common causes of disability and depression in the countries of the Western world. Depression is associated with limited functionality, reduced self-care, and increased mortality in patients with stroke. Anger often occurs in these patients and may disrupt the course of their recovery.

The investigation of the presence of depressive symptomatology, the expression of anger, and the degree of functioning/independence of patients after stroke.

One hundred and ten patients after stroke completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and the Barthel Index.

Patients who lived alone had a higher depressive symptomatology score than patients who did not live alone (p = 0.009). An increase in the total depressive symptomatology score was related to an increase in the anger expression score (p = 0.011), increase in anger-in score (p < 0.001), increase in anger-out score (p < 0.001), and decrease in anger control score (p = 0.001). Females had lower anger-in scores compared to men (p = 0.029). Individuals with a history of previous stroke had higher anger-out scores compared to people without a history of previous stroke (p = 0.025). An increase in the patient's functional/independence score was associated with an increase in anger control score (p = 0.015).

Early detection and management of depression and anger will facilitate patient's compliance to the rehabilitation program in order to achieve optimal therapeutic results and ensure a better quality of life.