Analysis of the concept of powerlessness in individuals with stroke.

Objectives: To identify and analyze the concept of the powerlessness in individuals with stroke, according to the NANDA-I Taxonomy.

Methods: Concept analysis from online access of four databases using the descriptors: impotence; helplessness, learned; Stroke, depression in languages: Portuguese, English and Spanish.

Results: The critical attributes of the feeling of powerlessness are: fragility, helplessness, lack of control, and power to achieve the proposed results for recovery and adaptation.