The Impact of Denial and Repressive Style on Information Gain and Rehabilitation Outcomes in Myocardial Infarction Patients

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Abstract
The impact of denial, repressive style and social desirability on information gained during hospitalization and their effects on recovery were studied in 30 patients with documented myocardial infarction (MI). Using 3 scores of cardiac knowledge as dependent variables, 3 significant findings emerged: patients who denied more gained less information about heart anatomy and physiology; patients who scored high on social desirability gained less information about symptoms indicating heart problems and activities appropriate for recovery; and patients who were repressors gained less information about heart disease risk factors. Twenty-four of the 30 patients completed a survey of functioning 6 mo. after discharge. Dividing patients into 4 groups representing a match or mismatch between repressive style and information level, repressors with high risk factor information reported more complications and poorer psychomedical functioning and sensitizers with low risk factor information reported poorer social functioning.

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