Gender Differences in the Trajectory and Predictors of Unmet Needs Among Young Stroke Survivors: A Longitudinal Secondary Analysis

Background: Unmet post-stroke needs are associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes and delayed recovery. Because post-stroke challenges vary among genders, their unmet-need trajectories and predictors may also differ. However, these gender-specific patterns remain unclear. Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the trajectory of unmet needs and identify predictors among young men and women stroke survivors across the first 6 months post-stroke. Methods: A prospective longitudinal secondary data analysis. Data were drawn from a cohort of 122 stroke survivors aged 31 to 64 years who completed assessments at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-stroke. Unmet needs were measured using the Unmet Needs Questionnaire. Andersen’s Behavioral Model guided the selection of predisposing, enabling, and need-related predictors. Gender-stratified generalized estimating equations were applied to evaluate changes in unmet needs and key predictors over time. Results: Unmet needs declined over time for both genders. Women reported fewer unmet needs in rehabilitation-related resources and economic and post-stroke life adjustment compared with men. Among men, worsening post-stroke memory emerged as the strongest predictor across several unmet-need domains. Among women, living alone consistently predicted higher unmet needs. Conclusions: Young stroke survivors experienced decreasing unmet needs during the first 6 months; however, gender differences were evident in unmet needs and their predictors.