Caring for yourself while you care for someone else: a qualitative study exploring the mental and cardiovascular health behaviours of female carers of stroke survivors

PurposeFemale carers of stroke survivors may experience increased risk of developing chronic health issues, such as cardiovascular disease. This study aims to understand: (i) how female carers of stroke survivors manage their mental and cardiovascular health and (ii) the characteristics they would find helpful in an intervention to support their ability to manage their health and wellbeing.Materials and methodsA qualitative descriptive design was used with data collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsEighteen female carers of stroke survivors participated in the study. Three key themes were identified: (i) struggling to prioritise own health and wellbeing; (ii) new roles and responsibilities impact on self-care; and (iii) peer-support improves mental health and well-being. Carers described preferences for group interventions to include peer support and have flexible delivery to allow easy access to information. One-to-one sessions with different health professionals may also be useful at times through the caregiving journey.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that current interventions do not address cardiovascular risk self-management for female carers and provide insight into characteristics of interventions that may increase acceptability and feasibility of interventions to support long-term cardiovascular and mental health-promoting behaviours. Female carers of stroke survivors report poor mental health and well-being outcomes and may be at a higher risk of developing chronic health issues.Female carers report difficulty engaging in healthy lifestyle choices particularly those targeting diet and exercise and struggle to adapt to new caregiving roles and responsibilities impact on self-care.Female carers also believed that an intervention incorporating peer support, educational resources, and convenient access to health professionals in a flexible manner would support them in addressing their long-term health and well-being.