Objectives: To measure the resilience of elderly patients with first ischemic stroke in mainland China and to identify variables that may be correlated with resilience at the acute stage of hospitalization.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in departments of neurology of two tertiary hospitals, where a convenience sample of one hundred and forty-seven elderly patients with first ischemic stroke voluntarily participated in our study. Resilience was assessed using the Chinese version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale with three dimensions (tenacity, strength, and optimism). The General Self-Efficacy Scale and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire were applied to evaluate the respondents' general self-efficacy and coping style. Functional independency was also measured using the Functional Independency Measure.Results: The mean score of the 147 respondents' resilience was 62.51 ± 14.69. Together, general self-efficacy, resignation, confrontation, per capital monthly income, and being main source of family income explained 68.1% of the variance in resilience. General self-efficacy, resignation, and confrontation were the strongest explanatory factors. Specifically, 63.4% of the variance in tenacity was explained for general self-efficacy, resignation, being main source of family income, surgical history, and per capital monthly income. 63.2% of the variance in strength was ascribed to general self-efficacy, resignation, per capital monthly income and avoidance. 32.5% of the variance in optimism was attributed to general self-efficacy, religion, and resignation.Conclusion: General self-efficacy and coping style may be implied orientation in enhancing resilience of elderly patients with first ischemic stroke at acute hospitalization. Moreover, economic status may predict level of resilience.HighlightsResilience was measured in 147 older first-episode ischemic stroke survivors at acute hospitalization.General-efficacy was the strongest predictor of resilience.Resilience was significantly influenced by resignation.Coping strategy should be emphasized early after stroke.
Keywords: Resilience; aged; coping style; general self-efficacy; stroke.