Conceptual Reconfiguration of Personal Significance in the Context of Ambiguous Loss: A Scoping Review of Wives’ Existential Suffering in Stroke Caregiving

Abstract

Stroke caregiving often entails relational and existential diruption resembling ambiguous loss. This scoping review mapped how wives of stroke survivors experience ambiguous loss in relational to identity, meaning, and existential suffering. Ascoping review was conducted following established guideline, with systematic searches across major database. Relevant studies on spousal stroke caregiving and experiences of loss, relational change, identity, or meaning ware syntesised using reflexive thematic analysis at a concentual level. Key themens included disrupted marital identity, persistent relational ambiguity, challenges to self-continuity, and efforts to reconstruct personal significance over time. Wives' caregiving is shaped by enduring ambiguous loss that challenges assumptions about partnership and future life. An ambiguous loss framework provides a stronger basis for psychosocial and clinical support in long-term stroke care.