title: Attachment anxiety predicts depression and anxiety symptoms following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depression and anxiety are associated with poor recovery in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients, but little is known about predictors of depression and anxiety symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested the prospective association between attachment orientation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in CABG patients, 6-8 weeks, and 12 months following surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty-five patients who were undergoing planned CABG surgery were recruited. Patients completed questionnaires measuring attachment, depression, and anxiety prior to surgery, then 6-8 weeks, and 12 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Attachment anxiety predicted symptoms of depression and anxiety at both follow-up time points, whereas attachment avoidance was not associated with depression or anxiety symptoms. The findings remained significant when controlling for baseline mood scores, social support, demographic, and clinical risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that attachment anxiety is associated with short-term and long-term depression and anxiety symptoms following CABG surgery. These results may offer important insight into understanding the recovery process in CABG surgery. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Depression and anxiety symptoms are twice more likely to occur in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) populations than in any other medical group. Depression and anxiety are associated with poor recovery following cardiac surgery. Predictors of depression and anxiety in CABG patients have been underexplored. What does this study add? This study highlights the importance of close interpersonal relationships on health. Attachment anxiety was prospectively associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. These results add to understanding mechanisms linked to recovery following CABG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kidd
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK. lydia.poole.09@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ronaldson
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leigh
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, St. George's Hospital, University of London, UK.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahangiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steptoe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: anxiety; attachment; coronary artery bypass graft; depression