Does overprotection cause cardiac invalidism after acute myocardial infarction?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if overprotection on the part of the patient's family and friends contributes to the development of cardiac invalidism after acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Longitudinal survey.


METHODS
Nine hospitals in the southwestern United States.


METHODS
One hundred eleven patients who had experienced a first acute myocardial infarction. Subjects were predominantly male, older-aged, married, caucasian, and in functional class I. Eighty-one patients characterized themselves as being overprotected (i.e., receiving more social support from family and friends than desired), and 28 reported receiving inadequate support. Only two patients reported receiving as much support as they desired.


METHODS
Self-esteem, emotional distress, health perceptions, interpersonal dependency, return to work.


RESULTS
Overprotected patients experienced less anxiety, depression, anger, confusion, more vigor, and higher self-esteem than inadequately supported patients 1 month after myocardial infarction (p < 0.05). Inadequately supported patients were more dependent 4 months after the event.


CONCLUSIONS
Overprotection on the part of family and friends may facilitate psychosocial adjustment in the early months after an acute myocardial infarction rather than lead to cardiac invalidism.
Riegel
B J
BJ
Clinical Research Dept., Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA 92123.
Dracup
K A
KA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors