Transition Experiences of Stroke Survivors Following Discharge Home Maude Rittman, Craig Boylstein, Ramon Hinojosa, Melanie Sberna Hinojosa, and Jolie Haun Top Stroke Rehabil 2007;14(2):21–31 © 2007 Thomas Land Publishers, Inc. www.thomasland.com doi: 10.1310/tsr1402-21 21 Maude Rittman, PhD, is Chief Nurse for Research, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, VA Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center of Excellence, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida. Craig Boylstein, PhD, is Associate Investigator, North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System, VA Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center of Excellence, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida. Ramon Hinojosa, PhD(c), is Research Assistant, North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System, VA Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center of Excellence, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida. Melanie Sberna Hinojosa, PhD, is Investigator, North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System, VA Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center of Excellence, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida. Jolie Haun, PhD(c), is Research Assistant, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, VA Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center of Excellence, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida. S troke is a leading cause of severe, long-term disability in the United States. 1,2 Approximately 80% of stroke survivors are discharged home to continue recovery, yet little is known about experiences of stroke survivors during the transition period after discharge home. 3–6 The purpose of this article is to describe three domains of psychosocial experiences of stroke survivors during the first month following discharge for acute stroke. Data were obtained from a multisite study to develop culturally sensitive models of stroke recovery across 2 years after discharge home. Transition is a passage from one life phase, con- dition, or status to another and is embedded in the context of a particular situation. 7 A salient feature of a transition is that there is usually a triggering event that initiates a change in the way individuals look at themselves and their life situations. 8 The occurrence of a stroke is a triggering event that is accompanied by family members being focused initially on survival of the stroke victim during the acute phase of treatment. Once the family sees that the loved one will survive, they begin to anticipate changes needed after discharge and the stroke sur- vivor begins coping with changes in functional abilities and body image. 9 These events usher in the onset of a transition. Two additional features of transitions are that the process occurs over time and involves changes in identities, roles, and be- haviors. 10 The purpose of this article is to describe psychosocial experiences during the first month transition period. Several studies using qualitative methods have reported on transition processes. 11–13 Findings in- dicate that the occurrence of a stroke affects the lives of other family members and the transition process is chaotic, resulting in changes in family relationships, caregivers coping with exhaustion, and survivors taking one day at a time and strug- gling to hang onto hope for recovery. The chaotic period is followed by reorganization during which life becomes more predictable and less stressful. 13 Our study attempts to fill in a portion of the re- Background: Little is known about the transition experiences of stroke survivors after discharge home. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe three domains of psychosocial experiences of stroke survivors during the first month following discharge for acute stroke. Method: Data were collected from 125 stroke survivors interviewed at 1 month following discharge home. Results: Findings indicate that changes in sense of self, connectedness with others, and community integration presented the major challenges. Key words: psychosocial, stroke, transition