title: Sense of coherence as a personality predictor of the quality of life in men and women after myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The vast majority of research on the quality of life (QoL) after myocardial infarction (MI) concentrates on such factors as: the type and course of MI, methods and stage of treatment or the patient's occupational and family status. Drawing from general psychological knowledge we may assume that some individual factor, especially personality, is also a significant contributor. The present study focused on a specific personality dimension: sense of coherence (SOC). It is defined as a global life orientation to perceive life as comprehensible (rational, predictable and structured), manageable (adequate and sufficient resources to overcome adversities are perceived as available) and meaningful (the demands created by adversities are seen as challenges and worthy of engagement).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the QoL one year after MI in men and women and to examine the role of SOC as a predictor of the QoL one year after MI, in groups of men and women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 83 participants (including 34 women), aged 35-59 (50.2 ± 6.2) years. They had a history of uncomplicated MI and were referred for post-hospitalisation cardiac rehabilitation in the sanatorium setting. SOC was measured with the Polish version of SOC-13 by A. Antonovsky. The QoL was evaluated with the MacNew questionnaire by N.B. Oldridge and L. Lim. The SOC was assessed during the stay at the heart centre. One year after their MI the participants completed the QoL questionnaires (sent to them by post).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men in comparison to women demonstrated stronger SOC (p 〈 0.004) and a better QoL in all dimensions: physical (p 〈 0.001), emotional (p 〈 0.001), social (p 〈 0.001) and as a global score (p 〈 0.001). The SOC turned out to be a significant predictor of the QoL one year after MI even after controlling for demographic and medical factors. Its predictive value was higher for women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research on the QoL in patients after MI should take into account personality factors. The SOC is a significant predictor, especially in women. Persons after MI scoring low on SOC at the early stage of rehabilitation should receive psychological intervention.
authors.affiliation: Warsaw School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Kazimierz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wrześniewski
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011044:Poland; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors