title: Sociodemographic differences in myocardial infarction risk perceptions among people with coronary heart disease.
abstract: This study examines sociodemographic differences in myocardial infarction (MI) risk perceptions among people with coronary heart disease (CHD) (N = 3130). Two variables for comparative risk perceptions were computed: (1) own risk compared to that of an average person; and (2) own risk compared to that of an average person with CHD. Comparative optimism in MI risk perceptions was common, particularly among men and those with higher education. CHD severity and psychosocial resources mediated these sociodemographic differences. These results suggest challenges for secondary prevention in CHD, particularly regarding psychosocial interventions for communicating risk information and supporting lifestyle adjustments.
authors.affiliation: STAKES, Helsinki, Finland. anna-mari.aalto@stakes.fi
authors.forename: Anna-Mari
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Aalto
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weinman
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Arja R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Aro
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manderbacka
authors.forename: Ilmo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Keskimäki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011593:Psychology, Social; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires