title: Group support for couples coping with a cardiac condition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Support groups of peers were designed to convey support specific to stressful situations encountered by persons with a first-time myocardial infarction and by their spouse or partners. There were no previous published support intervention studies focused on the couple. Survivors and spouses (n=28) participated in a pilot study which tested the effect of a 12-week support group intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  The support groups for couples were cofacilitated by a peer and professional. The facilitators recorded field notes, while participants completed weekly diaries about the intervention activities. Following the intervention, participants were interviewed individually and facilitators were interviewed jointly about the perceived effect of the intervention and influencing factors. This article focuses on the facilitators' and participants' perceptions of intervention processes and outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Support processes in the group included social comparison, social learning, and social exchange. Three types of support--emotional, information, and affirmation--were provided. All participants were satisfied with the support intervention and referred to the positive effect on their coping, confidence, outlook, and spousal relationship. Factors that influenced the intervention effect were participant input, cofacilitation, similarity of group members, and the provision of information and support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future interventions could consider similarity of peers, leadership, and optimum timing and duration.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. miriam.stewart@ua.ca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meade
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirth
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weld-Viscount
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology