The contribution of optimism and quality of life to depression in an acute coronary syndrome population.
BACKGROUND
Numerous longitudinal studies have revealed that depression following an acute cardiac event poses a risk factor for poor cardiac outcomes. It is therefore important to identify modifiable predictors of depression in order to develop a variety of interventions with this population.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present research was to determine whether the relationship between optimism and depressive symptoms was mediated by self-reported quality of life (QOL) in acute coronary syndrome patients.


METHODS
Two weeks following hospital discharge (Time 1) 59 participants completed a self-report questionnaire. Four weeks later (Time 2), 49 of these participants completed the same questionnaire.


RESULTS
At Time 1, the relationship between optimism and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by functional QOL and symptom QOL. Furthermore, the relationship between Time 1 optimism and Time 2 depressive symptoms was partially mediated by Time 1 functional QOL. When each of the Time 1 variables were used to predict Time 2 depressive symptoms, only optimism continued to predict depressive symptoms over and above the influence of Time 1 depressive symptoms and other covariates.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest the underlying importance of optimism in influencing depressive symptoms in acute coronary syndrome patients, and indicate that optimism and perceptions of functional QOL may be a possible rehabilitation target for this population.
Steele
Anna
A
School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. a.steele@flinders.edu.au
Wade
Tracey D
TD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009341:Negativism; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome