Does time spent on household activities or housework stress complicate recovery following coronary artery bypass surgery?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of household activities and housework stress as factors contributing to gender differences in recovery following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Therefore, the impact of time spent on household activities and housework stress on physical functioning (PF) was explored.


METHODS
Psychosocial data were measured two months and again one year after CABG in a sample of 351 patients (23% women) recruited within one week before surgery. Self-report questionnaires included assessment of household responsibilities, depression (PHQ-9), and PF (SF-36 subscale).


RESULTS
The results revealed that, following CABG, women spent more time on household activities and experienced markedly more stress due to these activities than men. Surprisingly, only housework stress was associated with poorer PF, whereas the time spent on household activities did not explain differences in PF in men and women. Finally, household responsibilities were not associated with the poorer recovery of the female CABG patient.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, our results do not support the advice that women should not resume household activities two months after surgery. More research is needed to establish valid guidelines.
Kendel
Friederike
F
Institute for Medical Psychology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany. friederike.kendel@charite.de
Dunkel
Anne
A
Lehmkuhl
Elke
E
Hetzer
Roland
R
Regitz-Zagrosek
Vera
V
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006796:Household Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016387:Women's Health