Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Reed College of Media
Department
Reed College of Media
Committee Chair
Maria Brann
Abstract
Stroke is an unpredictable and life-altering medical occurrence which causes immediate change in stroke survivors' relationships. Previous communication researchers have focused on the dialectical tensions experienced by stroke survivors themselves. This study sought to discover dialectical tensions experienced by spouses of stroke survivors, how those dialectical tensions compare to those experienced by stroke survivors, and how time affects the dialectical tensions experienced by spouses of stroke survivors. Sixteen spouses of stroke survivors participated in interviews, and five tensions were ultimately discovered: self-preference -- partner-preference, realism -- idealism, freedom constraint, fear -- content, and emotional release -- emotional reservation. Three dialectical tensions (i.e., fear -- content, realism -- idealism, freedom -- constraint) were similar to those experienced by stroke survivors, and time affected three dialectical tensions (i.e., realism -- idealism, fear -- content, freedom -- constraint). Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Leezer, Kimberly N., "Dialectical tensions in stroke survivor relationships" (2007). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 4314.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/4314