title: Gender differences in appraisal of stress and coping 5 years after heart transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether gender differences exist regarding stress, symptom distress, coping, adherence, and social support 5 years after heart transplantation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Differences exist in health-related quality of life outcomes by gender after heart transplantation; women report poorer outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 210, female = 42), were from a prospective, multi-site, study of health-related quality of life long-term after heart transplantation. Patients completed self-report instruments 5 years after heart transplantation (mean = 4.98 ± 0.17 years after transplant). Statistical analyses included two-sample t-tests, Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and multivariable modeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women did not report more overall stress or symptom distress, but reported more difficulty adhering to the transplant regimen, yet more actual adherence than men. Women reported using more negative coping styles, but reported more satisfaction with social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender differences exist regarding appraisal of stress, coping styles, and coping resources long-term after heart transplantation. These differences may guide tailoring therapy regarding stress, poor coping, and lack of resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: kgrady@nmh.org.
authors.forename: Kathleen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Adin-Cristian
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Andrei
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rybarczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: White-Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Edwin C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: McGee
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Gender; Heart transplant; Perceived adherence; Social support; Stress and coping; Symptoms