Potential profiles of caregivers' benefit finding in ischaemic stroke: The role of personality traits and coping styles

Objective: To investigate the different categories of benefit finding among caregivers of patients with ischemic stroke and the mechanisms of personality and coping styles using an individual-centered approach.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 235 caregivers of patients with ischemic stroke in the neurology departments of three tertiary hospitals in Bengbu using the revised Inventory of Illness Benefit, the Short Form of the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire.

Results: The benefit finding of caregivers of patients with ischemic stroke could be categorized into three latent classes: "Low sense of benefit-low personal growth group " (n = 58, 24.68 %), "Moderate sense of benefit-healthy behaviors group " (n = 117, 49.78 %), and "High Sense of Benefit-Family Cohesion Group " (n = 60, 25.53 %). Neuroticism positively predicted the low benefit group, while conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness, and extraversion positively predicted the moderate and high benefit groups, all acting as mediators across different benefit categories.

Conclusion: Caregivers of patients with ischemic stroke exhibit significant classification characteristics in benefit finding. Healthcare providers can develop targeted intervention measures based on the specific characteristics of the caregivers.