Dyadic processes in response to myocardial infarction

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The present study explored the dyadic response in 43 cases where the male partner had experienced an MI (myocardial infarction). It explored the impact of disease severity, the patient and wives' coping responses, and support available on measures of patient and wife affect. The impact of these processes on physical limitations reported by the patient was also explored. From the patients' perspective, anxiety was primarily mediated by both coping and support variables. Patient depression scores were associated with measures of coping, but not dyadic or social support. Physical limitations were not associated with any disease variable. However, significant associations were found between reported limitations and emotion-focused coping attempts. In addition, patients who reported greater limitations elicited higher levels of instrumental support from their wives. Patients' coping behaviour and mood impacted on measures of their wives' affective response. In turn, wives' behaviour influenced both mood and physical response to the MI. The implications for cardiac rehabilitation are considered.