Self-concept and depression after stroke

Controlling for established determinants (age, sex, history of depression, functional independence, social support), multiple regression analyses were used to examine the independent influence of self-concept measures, and the role of subdomains and importance-weightings. Self-discrepancy showed a significant interaction with DS (F(1, 118)=32.69, p<.001, η² =.22). DS showed a stronger association with present (r=-.72) than with past self-concept (r=-.34) and self-discrepancy (r=-.47; all p<.001).

Age, history of depression, social support, and present self-concept were independent predictors of DS while functional independence was not (∆F(1, 113)=48.04, p<.001). Importance-weighting of subdomains did not affect explained variance, though the number of self-concept subdomains showing significant association with DS increased. Findings propose appraisals of self-concept as independent predictors of DS after stroke, even surpassing functional independence three years post-stroke.

Considering individual importance of subdomains reveals their differential influence. The results suggest to investigate the use of general self-concept for prediction, and to consider the individual relevance of subdomains in psychological interventions after stroke.