Illness acceptance, health perception, and hopelessness levels in stroke survivors: A cross-sectional and correlational study.

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, stroke is a clinical condition characterized by the sudden development of focal or global signs and symptoms in cerebral functions and is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide. Objective: This study aimed to determine the levels of illness acceptance, health perception, and hopelessness of stroke survivors and to examine the relationship between these variables. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with 170 stroke survivors. Data were collected with the "Descriptive Information Form," "Modified Barthel Index," "Acceptance of Illness Scale," "Perception of Health Scale," and "Beck Hopelessness Scale." The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software. Results: Participants showed moderate levels of illness acceptance and mild levels of hopelessness. The mean health perception score was 50.30±0.59. A significant relationship was found between age, education, employment status, living arrangements, illness duration, post-stroke deficits, independence level, illness acceptance, health perception, and hopelessness levels. The health perception and hopelessness levels of the participants decreased as their level of illness acceptance increased. Increasing health perception levels were also found to increase hopelessness levels. Discussion: When the literature is reviewed, there are studies that support our findings in stroke and other chronic illnesses, but there are also studies with different results. Conclusion: The study results draw attention to the levels of illness acceptance, health perception, and hope, which have not been discussed much but have important effects on the illness and rehabilitation process.