Experiences of occupational engagement in young & middle-aged women post-stroke: a qualitative systematic review

Young and middle-aged women engage in distinct occupations, facing unique post-stroke challenges that complicate their recovery. However, little is known about their experiences with occupational engagement following a stroke. This qualitative systematic review aimed to explore the post-stroke experiences of women aged 18–65 from an occupational perspective of health. A comprehensive search of five databases identified qualitative studies on post-stroke experiences of women aged 18–65. Two reviewers independently appraised the methodological quality of eligible studies. Data were extracted and synthesised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method of meta-aggregation. Seven studies were included. From 103 extracted findings, 18 aggregated categories and six synthesised findings emerged, relating to impacts on (1) daily life, domestic roles, self-efficacy and identity (2) work (3) relationships (4) health and recovery (5) adjustment and coping, and (6) experiences with healthcare. Post-stroke occupational engagement in young and middle-aged women was disrupted across various life domains, reflecting its dynamic and intersectional nature with individual experiences of doing, being, belonging and becoming. Systematic barriers and societal attitudes posed additional challenges to recovery. These findings underscore the need for equitable, person-centred interventions to facilitate occupational engagement for health and well-being in this population. Occupational engagement is a complex, multi-dimensional and dynamic experience that is profoundly disrupted in young women after strokeA deeper understanding of the unique needs of young women post-stroke could promote more individualised and holistic care, mitigating isolation and frustration associated with post-stroke experiencesMeaningful engagement in occupations could facilitate identity reconstruction and role restitution, both integral to building self-efficacy and a coherent sense of being after strokeInterdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare practitioners is encouraged to ensure comprehensive support for different aspects of stroke recovery Occupational engagement is a complex, multi-dimensional and dynamic experience that is profoundly disrupted in young women after stroke A deeper understanding of the unique needs of young women post-stroke could promote more individualised and holistic care, mitigating isolation and frustration associated with post-stroke experiences Meaningful engagement in occupations could facilitate identity reconstruction and role restitution, both integral to building self-efficacy and a coherent sense of being after stroke Interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare practitioners is encouraged to ensure comprehensive support for different aspects of stroke recovery