Adjusting to life after pediatric stroke: A qualitative study

Aim To examine adjustment after stroke in adolescence from the perspective of affected young people. Method Fourteen participants (10 female) aged 13 to 25 years with a history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke in adolescence participated in one‐on‐one semi‐structured interviews at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two independent coders conducted a reflexive thematic analysis. Results Five themes were identified as representative of adjustment after stroke: (1) ‘Processing the story’; (2) ‘Loss and challenges’; (3) ‘I've changed’; (4) ‘Keys to recovery’; and (5) ‘Adjustment and acceptance’. Interpretation This qualitative study provides medical professionals with a personal, patient‐driven lens through which to better understand the challenges of adjusting to life after pediatric stroke. Findings highlight the need to provide mental health support to patients to assist them in processing their stroke and adapting to long‐lasting sequelae. What this paper adds Processing the onset event is a key component of adjustment to stroke. Feelings of anxiety, sadness, frustration, and self‐consciousness impede adjustment to stroke. Young people may feel overwhelmed academically owing to neurocognitive deficits. Sequelae may rid young people of hobbies and passions, and alter plans for the future. To adjust to stroke, survivors draw on resilience, patience, determination, and social support. What this paper adds Processing the onset event is a key component of adjustment to stroke. Feelings of anxiety, sadness, frustration, and self‐consciousness impede adjustment to stroke. Young people may feel overwhelmed academically owing to neurocognitive deficits. Sequelae may rid young people of hobbies and passions, and alter plans for the future. To adjust to stroke, survivors draw on resilience, patience, determination, and social support. Young people with stroke need better mental health support to assist them in processing their stroke and adapting to long‐lasting sequelae. This original article is commented on by Hanes on pages 1272–1273 of this issue.