Family resilience and self-management in stroke survivors: a longitudinal cross-lagged analysis

ObjectiveTo explore the longitudinal temporal relationship between family resilience and self-management behaviors in stroke patients.MethodsA longitudinal observational study was conducted with three time points. Family resilience and self-management were assessed at hospitalization (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2) post-discharge in 206 stroke patients using validated Chinese scales. A cross-lagged panel model was applied.ResultsSelf-management initially increased then declined; family resilience initially increased then stabilized. Self-management at T0 positively predicted family resilience at T1 (β = 0.203, p < 0.001). Family resilience at T1 positively predicted self-management at T2 (β = 0.269, p < 0.001).ConclusionA time-ordered interactive relationship exists. In early rehabilitation, fostering self-management promotes family resilience; in later stages, enhancing family resilience helps maintain self-management.