Quality of life, coping strategies, social support and self‐efficacy in women after acute myocardial infarction: a mixed methods approach

Abstract

Background Quality of life, coping strategies, social support and self‐efficacy are important psychosocial variables strongly affecting the experience of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in women. Aims To gain a more in‐depth understanding of how coping strategies, self‐efficacy, quality of life and social support shape women's adjustment to AMI. Design Mixed methods study. Quantitative data were collected through a standardised questionnaire on coping strategies, self‐efficacy, quality of life and social support. Qualitative data stemmed from 57 semistructured interviews conducted with post‐AMI female patients on related topics. Methods Quantitative data were analysed with unpaired two‐sample t‐tests on the means, comparing women who experienced AMI (N = 77) with a control group of women who did not have AMI (N = 173), and pairwise correlations on the AMI sample. Qualitative data were grouped into coding families and analysed through thematic content analysis. Qualitative and quantitative results were then integrated, for different age groups. Results Quantitative results indicated statistically significant differences between women who experienced AMI and the control group: the former showed lower self‐perceived health, perceived social support and social support coping, but greater self‐efficacy, use of acceptance, avoidance and religious coping. Pairwise correlations showed that avoidance coping strategy was negatively correlated with quality of life, while the opposite was true for problem‐oriented coping, perceived social support and self‐efficacy. Qualitative results extended and confirmed quantitative results, except for coping strategies: avoidance coping seemed more present than reported in the standardised measures. Conclusion Mixed methods provide understanding of the importance of social support, self‐efficacy and less avoidant coping strategies to women's adjustment to AMI. Relevance to clinical practice Women need support from health professionals with knowledge of these topics, to facilitate their adaptation to AMI.

The experience of women following first acute coronary syndrome: An integrative literature review

“…Psychological factors were the most frequently studied variables in women who had experienced an ACS, with women experiencing both positive and negative effects (Bergman et al., 2011; Fuochi & Foa, 2017; Mendes et al., 2010; Norekval et al., 2008; Shin et al., 2010; Weislander et al., 2016) . Data collection methods were primarily based on semi‐structured face to face interviews and self‐reported questionnaires such as sense of coherence (SOC) scale.…”

“…Data collection methods were primarily based on semi‐structured face to face interviews and self‐reported questionnaires such as sense of coherence (SOC) scale. The sample sizes varied between 12 (Mendes et al., 2010) and 250 (Fuochi & Foa, 2017; mean age of 72 years old). Changes in psychological state of women were often individualized and related to their personal attitudes and attributes (Norekval et al., 2010; Weislander et al., 2016).…”

Health-Related Quality of Life Is Severely Affected in Primary Orthostatic Tremor

“…This method is very much in its infancy in neurology research and has been used to investigate single issues ( 97 – 100 ), caregiver’s burden ( 101 , 102 ), and prospective studies ( 103 , 104 ). It is outside the field of neurology where it has been shown to be effective in assessing the more global issue of HQoL ( 105 , 106 ). Our work is paradigmatic of a mixed-methodology approach that holds huge potential for in-depth investigation of HQoL issues in chronic neurological disorders.…”

Measurement Properties of the Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy Scale in Workers with Shoulder Injuries

“…Similarly, the SSE and CWSE domains and the total RTWSE score were able to predict overall job satisfaction (AUC 0.70). The impact of job satisfaction scores on work-related compensation status and recovery has been well documented, 22,31,[31][32][33] and the positive association between satisfaction and the RTWSE was anticipated. Low SSE and CWSE scores reveal suboptimal satisfaction with the support received at work and may assist in identifying workers with negative outcomes or unsustainable RTW efforts.…”

“…Previous research has shown that self-efficacy is associated significantly and negatively with pain-related disability in patients with chronic pain. [28][29][30] These studies however, have not reported the strength of association and have based their findings on statistical significance. ; AUC values were calculated for 2 satisfaction categories (satisfied and neutral, dissatisfied).…”