The Impact of Self-Perceived Burden on Loneliness in Stroke Patients: The Mediating Role of Rumination

Stroke outcomes are often measured through objective scales, which may neglect subtle cognitive changes and fail to capture patients' subjective experiences of recovery and quality of life. This study aimed to examine the interrelations among self-perceived burden, loneliness, and rumination in stroke survivors through the patient-reported outcomes and to provide theoretical insights and intervention strategies for improving psychological well-being and quality of life in stroke patients.

Data from 1024 stroke patients who aged 18 years and above were prospectively collected in September 2022 in Zhengzhou, China. PROs included Self-Perceived Burden Scale, UCLA-Loneliness Scale, and Event-Related Rumination Inventory. Statistical methods employed included correlation analysis and mediation effect analysis.

A total of 1024 participants completed this survey (90.9%), with 56.2% males and a mean age of 62.22 (SD = 13.60) years. Approximately 84.28% of stroke patients felt moderate loneliness. Self-perceived burden was positively correlated with rumination (r = 0.516, 95% CI [0.460, 0.574]) and loneliness (r = 0.370, 95% CI [0.307, 0.431]). Rumination was also positively associated with loneliness (r = 0.493, 95% CI [0.443, 0.541]). Both intrusive and deliberate rumination served as mediators in the relationship between SPB and loneliness (b = 0.119, 55.09%, b = 0.031, 14.35%, respectively).

Intrusive and deliberate rumination mediated the relationship between self-perceived burden and loneliness in stroke patients. Rumination in stroke patients should be emphasized as a modifiable factor to reduce loneliness and improve quality of life.