title: Depressive symptoms after a myocardial infarction and self-care.
abstract: This descriptive study examined depressive symptoms impacting the performance of self-care behaviors in patients (N = 62) who have experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). Having had a prior MI is inversely associated with decreased self-care behaviors at 30 days. Depressive symptoms of agitation and loss of energy significantly impacted self-care performance 30 days after discharge from the hospital. A variance of 21% (P < .05) in patients who experienced a prior MI and exhibited depressive symptoms of agitation and loss of energy at 30 days suggests patient vulnerability after discharge and a window for therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA 01201, USA. maraceo@aol.com
authors.forename: Mary Kathleen
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Coyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*