Apoyo social y afrontamiento en enfermedad cardíaca

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in modern societies. Partners play a key role throughout the process of recovery, and they are the main source of support for patients. Stroke has also a great impact in partners. Excessive concern on patients´ health and problems related to the disease can lead them to manage their anxiety with coping mechanisms such as overprotectiveness, which can have negative effects on patients´ illness adjustment. To plann interventions it is necessary to take into account partners´ needs and their specific problems in order to get them becoming a source of effective support. This research examines the influence of psychosocial factors, such as social support and kind of partner coping, in illness adjustment in patients with coronary heart disease. The sample consisted of 109 patients and their partners (N=109) included in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid. The results show that neither social support provided by the partner, or their satisfaction with it, have a significant relation in terms of adjustment to illness of the patient. However, patients´ perceived coping of their partner is associated with an increased adjustment to illness of patients (p = ,008), both in its physical and psychosocial dimensions. Moreover, data show that patients with higher levels of social support from partners have also higher rates of adherence to recommended guidelines. In our follow up study, these changes are maintained are 4, 8 and 12 months later.