Perceived Benefits of Peer Support Groups for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers in Rural North Carolina.

Significant geographical disparities exist in stroke prevalence among southeastern states, including North Carolina. Additionally, stroke is more prevalent in rural areas. Peer support groups play an important role in stroke recovery by providing tools for effective coping, alleviating psychological stress, and creating an outlet for stroke survivors and caregivers. However, their perceived benefits have not been clearly defined for rural stroke survivors and their families. This qualitative study describes the experiences of survivors and caregivers in rural North Carolina who have participated in stroke peer support groups. Four focus groups were conducted with 32 participants (average age 67 years, 72% female) in 4 rural North Carolina counties, using a semi-structured discussion guide and an inductive coding approach. Thematic analysis revealed that participants in rural support groups seek and receive knowledge from their support groups and feel empowered by providing and receiving this knowledge. Shared experiences cultivate a sense of community, and participants viewed support outside of the support group as necessary to their recovery process. This study reflects the views of a small group of predominantly non-Hispanic, white stroke survivors and caregivers who voluntarily participated. We did not conduct separate focus groups with survivors and caregivers. Peer support groups are a sparse, but critical resource for rural stroke survivors and caregivers because they provide information and community that can assist with recovery to health and independence.