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Assessing adaptive and maladaptive coping in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction

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Abstract

We assessed retrospectively symptom management behaviors among 45 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cluster analysis was conducted on data from the Structured Interview (SI), in order to group patients according to the global TABP, Anger-In, Potential for Hostility, and a newly derived measure of Behavioral Compensation for Stress (BEH-COMP). Two groups were identified. MALADAPT SI-copers (N=24) had higher scores on Anger-In and Hostility and lower scores on BEH-COMP in comparison to the ADAPT SI-copers (N=21), while no difference was observed on TABP. The SI groups were next compared on AMI symptom management behaviors. A hierarchical discriminant analysis found that the MALADAPT group reported greater distraction from AMI symptoms, more relief-seeking behavior, and greater perceived vulnerability to reinfarction. AMI coping behaviors correlated meaningfully with delay in seeking medical assistance. Further research is warranted, given the potential for using the ADAPT/MALADAPT SI-profiles to predict adjustment to AMI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Ottawa General Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, K1H 8L6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Robert P. Nolan

  2. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Ottawa General Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Andy T. Wielgosz

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  1. Robert P. Nolan
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  2. Andy T. Wielgosz
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Additional information

The present study was supported by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship granted to the first author by the Research Committee of the Ottawa General Hospital. We wish to express our gratitude to Eva S. Biro, Jo Anne Earp, and Maria B. Wielgosz for their contributions to this investigation. We are also grateful for the detailed and helpful comments of the two anonymous reviewers of this manuscript.

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Nolan, R.P., Wielgosz, A.T. Assessing adaptive and maladaptive coping in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction. J Behav Med 14, 111–124 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00846174

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