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Factors Associated with Posttraumatic Growth Among Myocardial Infarction Patients: Perceived Social Support, Perception of the Event and Coping

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Abstract

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) is accepted as positive transformations that are a product of struggling with significant stressors such as chronic illness. A model, conceptualized by Schaefer and Moos (Posttraumatic growth: Positive changes in the aftermath of crisis, pp 99–126, 1998), suggests a relative contribution of environmental and individual resources, perception of the event (PE) and coping in the development of PTG. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of perceived social support (PSS), PE and coping on PTG. This model was tested in a sample of patients with myocardial infarction (MIP, N = 148) from various hospitals in Turkey. The structural equation analysis of the model revealed that PSS was significantly related to PTG through the effect of coping. While coping was significantly and directly related to PTG, PE was not. The findings are discussed in the context of the theoretical model with suggestions for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Arts and Science Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Golkoy, 14280, Bolu, Turkey

    Emre Senol-Durak

  2. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    H. Belgin Ayvasik

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  1. Emre Senol-Durak
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  2. H. Belgin Ayvasik
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Correspondence to Emre Senol-Durak.

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Senol-Durak, E., Ayvasik, H.B. Factors Associated with Posttraumatic Growth Among Myocardial Infarction Patients: Perceived Social Support, Perception of the Event and Coping. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 17, 150–158 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-010-9192-5

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