Supporting Self-employment in Young Adults With Stroke

Supporting Self-employment in Working-age Stroke Survivors

This project will investigate the effects of an 8-week theory-driven online/hybrid Self-employment Skill Building Intervention on the rate of self-employment, self-efficacy, life satisfaction, and psychosocial outcomes among working-age stroke survivors.

A 2-arm randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Individuals aged 18-65 years old, with a first-ever/recurrent ischaemic/haemorrhagic stroke, and unemployed for at least 6 months will be recruited. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive usual care or a new intervention with usual care. The intervention is aimed at assisting survivors in becoming self-employed by developing entrepreneurial skills. Outcomes including self-employment rate, self-efficacy, life satisfaction, emotional well-being, and community reintegration at baseline, immediately and 3 months after completing the intervention. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with participants to elicit feedback on SSI.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-65 years old at the time of recruitment
• been clinically diagnosed with a first-ever/recurrent ischaemic/haemorrhagic stroke
• a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (MoCA) >2nd percentile
• a paid job (full-time/part-time) at the recent onset of stroke
• been unemployed (not in paid, full-time/part-time job) for ≥6 months at the time of recruitment
• able to communicate in Cantonese and read Traditional Chinese.

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed with transient ischaemic attack
• cerebrovascular events due to tumour
• diagnosed with a mental condition for example depression or schizophrenia
• incomprehensible speech
• receiving or awaiting to receive vocational programmes
• self-employed at the time of recruitment or planning to retire