Symptom clusters of early‐stage poststroke depression: A mixed‐methods study

Abstract

Abstract Aim To identify the symptom clusters of early‐stage poststroke depression (PSD) and provide an in‐depth understanding of the symptoms. Design A mixed‐methods study with a convenient sampling method was used. Methods A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey in 231 stroke patients and semi‐structured interviews in 14 stroke patients were conducted in the neurological department of a comprehensive hospital in Southeast China. Data from the questionnaire survey were analysed through descriptive and exploratory factor analyses; data from the semi‐structured interview were transcribed verbatim and analysed through inductive content analysis. This study adheres to the GRAMMS checklist. Results Exploratory factor analysis revealed six symptom clusters of early‐stage PSD that accounted for an ideal variance in PSD: nervous, wakefulness, emotional, dull, guilt and low mood. Further, inductive content analysis revealed five themes that were like the above symptom clusters, except for the dull symptom cluster.

Keywords

• exploratory factor analysis
• inductive content analysis
• mixed methods
• poststroke depression
• symptom cluster