The relationship between executive function and coping in stroke survivors

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2013-07-22

Department

Towson University. Department of Psychology

Program

Citation of Original Publication

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There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.

Subjects

Abstract

Stroke affects many individuals worldwide and the impairments can be devastating. Post-stroke sequelae may include physical, emotional, and cognitive impairments. The ways in which stroke survivors cope with such impairments is of great interest, but has not previously been investigated. Previous research in traumatic brain injury (TBI) indicated that executive function is positively correlated with active coping and negatively correlated with avoidant coping (Krpan et al. 2007, 2011). The present study aimed to assess how executive function correlated with coping strategies in another brain-injured sample, stroke survivors. Fifteen stroke survivors completed a battery of cognitive tests measuring executive function as well as the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WAYS) to assess coping strategies. Results indicated that coping was negatively correlated with avoidant coping and a significant predictor of avoidant coping. No relationship existed between executive function and active coping. Implications for future research are discussed.