Neuropsychiatric disorders and emotional coping strategies in post-stroke patients. A longitudinal study

Between one third and one half of the population that has suffered a stroke present with a neuropsychiatric disorder (NPD), which often goes underdiagnosed. To study the association between the presence of NPDs and coping strategies in stroke patients. Prospective, longitudinal and comparative study in a sample of patients with ischaemic stroke with and without the presence of NPDs. Both sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected. Neurological impairment (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) and coping (Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) were assessed at three and 12 months. The period studied was from 2013 to 2017. A total of 82 patients were analysed, with a mean age of 67.6 ± 10.4 years, 52.4% of whom were male. Of them, 14 with NPD and 36 without NPD answered the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced coping scale, and the remaining 32 were excluded because of aphasia/dysphasia. At three months, dimensions of active coping, social support, denial and behavioural disengagement were observed in the NPD group, and at 12 months, denial and behavioural disengagement persisted, and planning, self-distraction and self-incrimination dimensions appeared. Results show the need to motivate patients to seek more effective strategies, to identify problems when they arise, to consider them as surmountable and to inhibit impulsive or inappropriate responses, replacing them with emotional responses and appropriate behaviours.