Coping with Stroke: A Prospective Comparative Cross-Cultural Research

In the present study, the coping strategies of stroke patients were examined. An intercultural comparison between patients from Germany and Pakistan was made to investigate the impact of culture on coping processes and the need to consider these in the therapy of stroke patients. Six self-completed questionnaires were given to 53 stroke patients from Germany and 44 from Pakistan. In addition to coping processes, potential determinants on coping such as religiosity, social support and locus of control were examined. Analysis suggested both samples to be characterized by similar coping processes, but the German and Pakistani patients eventually differ in the extent they use these psychosocial determinants. This study provides modern treatment strategies for coping with stroke.