Person and Environment Factors Supporting Self-Care Performance and Social Participation After Mild Stroke

Abstract

Mild stroke survivors seldom receive occupational therapy services as their deficits are assumed to be minor enough to not affect their daily occupations. Yet many mild stroke survivors report deficits in self-care performance and social participation. This study investigates person and environment factors influencing self-care performance and social participation among mild stroke survivors, using the Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model. A retrospective cohort analysis of 736 mild stroke survivors was conducted using electronic health records. Person factors included demographic characteristics and clinical characteristics, and environment factors included the Social Vulnerability Index. The analysis included logistic regression. Approximately, 10% of patients reported deficits in self-care or social participation. Disability level was the only person factor associated with self-care performance. Person factors affecting social participation included mobility and unemployment. Socioeconomic status was associated with both occupation measures. Occupational therapy practitioners must address the person and environment factors affecting mild stroke survivors’ self-care performance and social participation.