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Life events and adjustment following myocardial infarction

A longitudinal study

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Abstract

Objectives

This study examines the implications of both pre-Myocardial Infarction (MI) and post-MI life events on the severity of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology.

Methods

116 MI patients were examined twice. At Time 1, within a week of the MI, severity of ASD and pre-MI life events were assessed, and medical measures were obtained from patients’ hospital records. At Time 2, seven months later, severity of PTSD and post-MI life events were assessed.

Results

Although pre-MI life events were associated with both ASD and PTSD symptom severity, the relation between these events and PTSD was mediated by ASD. Post MI stressful life events made an independent contribution to PTSD severity.

Discussion

These findings emphasize the fact that traumatic events do not occur in isolation and that their emotional impact is related to other events that occur both before and after.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Zahava Solomon, PhD, of the Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University; Avi Bleich, MD, of Lev Hasharon Psychiatric Hospital; Rachel Dekel, PhD, of the School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University; Bella Koifman, MD, Gad Keren, MD, and Arie Roth of the Department of Cardiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center; Michael Kriwisky, MD, of the Department of Cardiology, the Edith Wolfson Medical Center; Ilan Kutz, MD, of the Psychiatric Services at Meir General Hospital; and Daniel David, MD, of the Department of Cardiology, Meir General Hospital, for their help in the various stages of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

    Karni Ginzburg PhD

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  1. Karni Ginzburg PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karni Ginzburg PhD.

Additional information

This study was supported by the Sarah Peleg Research Foundation, and by the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Health.

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Ginzburg, K. Life events and adjustment following myocardial infarction. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 41, 825–831 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-006-0104-9

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