Perceived coping, social support, and quality of life 1 month after myocardial infarction: a comparison between Swedish women and men.
OBJECTIVE
The study objective was to compare coping, social support, and quality of life in Swedish women and men 1 month after myocardial infarction.


METHODS
The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive-comparative.


METHODS
The study took place in 1 hospital service area in the middle of Sweden.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 74 women and 97 men.


METHODS
The Jalowiec Coping Scale, the Social Network and Social Support Questionnaire, the Short Form-36 Health Survey, and the Quality of Life Index-Cardiac Version were used.


RESULTS
Compared with men, women used more evasive and supportive coping and rated psychologic aspects of the heart disease as more problematic to manage. More women perceived available support from friends and grandchildren, and more men perceived available support from their partner. Women rated lower levels in physical and psychologic dimensions of quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The first month after myocardial infarction is a susceptible period especially for women. They used more evasive and supportive coping and experienced a lower quality of life compared with men.
Kristofferzon
Marja-Leena
ML
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Löfmark
Rurik
R
Carlsson
Marianne
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology