Coping Styles among Post MI Patients with Depressive Symptoms

Although the adverse impacts of depressive symptoms after myocardial infarction (MI) on prognosis of heart disease are known, the link between coping strategies and post MI depressive symptoms remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between coping styles and post-MI depressive symptoms. In a cross sectional study, one hundred patients admitted to the CCU following MI in a hospital in Isfahan, were selected using convenience sampling according to inclusive and exclusive criteria. Data were gathered using Jalowiec Coping questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Norbeck Social Support questionnaire. The findings indicated that 31% of patients had depressive symptoms. The results of MANCOVA showed significant difference between two groups with and without depressive symptoms in coping styles (F=2.185, P<0.05). Also, the results of covariance indicated significant differences in coping styles including optimistic coping style (F=3.754, P=0.05) and support-seeking coping style (F=5.66, P=0.019). However, there was no significant difference in other coping styles between two groups. The low tendency to use optimistic approaches in dealing with life events is one of the equivalents to hopelessness in Attribution theory in explaining depression. Study of path analysis for three dimensions including coping style, cognitive style and depressive symptoms is recommended in a prospective study.