PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ISCHEMIC STROKE PATIENTS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Ischemic stroke ranks among the foremost causes of disability-related morbidity globally, carrying substantial psychosocial burden. Although biomedical aspects of stroke recovery have received considerable research attention, the psychosocial factors that shape health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among stroke survivors remain insufficiently examined, especially within sub-Saharan African populations. This study assessed the extent to which perceived social support, anxiety, and depression predict quality of life (QoL) among ischemic stroke patients managed in Federal Medical Centres in Southwestern Nigeria. An ex post facto descriptive survey design was utilised. One hundred and fifty-seven (157) ischemic stroke patients were recruited from Federal Medical Centres in Abeokuta, Ogun State and Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State via a multistage sampling procedure. Instruments administered included the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the EuroQol-5D-5L. Data analysis employed independent samples t-tests and multiple regression analysis at p < 0.05. Patients reporting high perceived social support demonstrated significantly superior QoL relative to those with low perceived social support (T(155) = -3.207, p < .05). Similarly, patients with low anxiety levels exhibited significantly better QoL compared to those with elevated anxiety (T(155) = -2.114, p < .05). Together, perceived social support, anxiety, and depression explained 23.9% of the variance in QoL (R = .504; F(3,153) = 17.364; p < .05), with depression identified as the dominant independent predictor. Psychosocial variables particularly depression, anxiety, and perceived social support are robust predictors of QoL among ischemic stroke patients in Nigeria. Incorporating routine psychosocial screening and targeted psychological intervention into stroke rehabilitation is strongly recommended.