“I’m Not the Same Person Anymore”: Sociocultural Lived Experiences of Stroke Recovery in Malaysia
Keywords:
Stroke survivors, Community reintegration, Sociocultural context, Interpretative Phenomenological AnalysisAbstract
This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the lived experiences of recovery among 13 stroke survivors in Malaysia, within their sociocultural contexts. Three superordinate themes emerged: making sense of illness and recovery through sociocultural and embodied understandings; reconstructing and negotiating the self within sociocultural contexts; and navigating treatment choices within pluralistic and socioculturally influenced approaches. Findings indicate that recovery is shaped by cultural beliefs, spiritual practices, and social expectations, influencing identity and engagement with treatment. These insights highlight the importance of culturally responsive and person-centred rehabilitation.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Husna Hamzi, Syamsul Ibrahim, Aisya Widya
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