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A considerable body of research has linked having a sense of purpose in life with positive health outcomes in later life. However, it is less clear how the onset of a major health condition may impact one’s sense of purpose long-term. In particular, stroke represents the leading cause of acquired adult disability worldwide and is commonly associated with significant physical and psychological symptoms capable of impairing one’s ability to pursue major life goals. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, the present study explored changes in purpose scores in a total of 90 participants suffering from stroke between 2006 and 2010. Purpose, demographic, social, and personality characteristics were assessed prior to stroke onset in 2006, and again four and eight years later. Overall, participants exhibited mean-level decline in purpose in life following stroke, though there was significant variability in purpose change within the sample. Cluster analyses revealed 4 distinct patterns of purpose change across the eight years of the study, suggesting both adaptive and maladaptive change patterns in purpose following stroke. These findings mirror past work from the post-traumatic growth literature demonstrating similar patterns of adaptation following potentially traumatic life events. Discussion will focus on demographic and psychosocial factors distinguishing these groups including personality and close relationship support.
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