Distress dynamics in patient and partner dyads early after stroke/transient ischemic attack: A pilot feasibility study.

BACKGROUND

Acute cardiovascular events are highly distressing for patients and their romantic partners. Partner presence in the emergency department (ED) may increase patients' distress due to mutual exposure to hospital stressors and dyadic influences, but studies are lacking. This pilot feasibility study enrolled patients with stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and their partners to complete surveys and physical activity monitoring. Dyadic disruption theory informed hypotheses about distress transmission (i.e., corumination and shared reality as moderators).

METHOD: Partners of stroke/TIA patients were recruited from an ongoing observational cohort study in a large, urban academic medical center. Surveys were conducted at baseline and 1-month posthospital discharge. Partners present during ED evaluation additionally completed accelerometry to monitor physical inactivity. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, retention, and adherence to study procedures. ED distress, acute stress symptoms, and posttraumatic stress within patients and partners were explored.

RESULTS

Of 35 partners contacted, 18 provided consent (51.4%), 16 of whom (88.9%) were retained (Mage = 56.13, SD = 14.73, 56.3% women, 50.0% White). Partner adherence to accelerometry was high (72.7%). ED distress predicted acute stress and posttraumatic stress symptoms for dyads reporting a high degree of shared understanding about the stroke/TIA ("shared reality").

CONCLUSION

Despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment rates are typical for this population, and retention was excellent. As hypothesized, ED distress persisted when shared reality was high. Larger studies powered to detect dyadic influence effects in distress development and correspond distress to secondary prevention behaviors are warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).