Instruments for Assessing Social Networks in the Self-Management and Rehabilitation Process of Persons Post-Stroke: A Scoping Review

This study addresses a pressing need within welfare and rehabilitation for older adults by mapping and analyzing measurement instruments for social networks and collective efficacy in the rehabilitation process for older adults who have experienced a stroke.

Social support and the ability to engage actively in social contexts are critical to recovery, yet a systematic overview of tools measuring these factors is lacking.

Through a literature review, we will identify and evaluate instruments used for long-term conditions and assess their suitability for post-stroke rehabilitation.

Using COSMIN criteria, we will determine each instrument’s methodological quality to ensure they are both reliable and appropriate for use with older adults.The project also incorporates a gender perspective, recognizing apparent differences in how women and men provide and seek social support. Women often play a substantial role in providing close support, which can lead to inequalities and increased burdens.

At the same time, women also tend to seek social support more than men, affecting the rehabilitation process differently.

Individuals with stroke and their families frequently report that they feel lost in their new lives, abandoned and have difficulties in navigating the healthcare system, which shows the need for integrated and coordinated care.

This study aims to provide a resource for healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers, supporting a more evidence-based and individualized continuum of care.

Ultimately, it seeks to improve the quality of life for older stroke survivors by fostering more cohesive support systems through collaboration between social services and healthcare.