Effective psychological factors on coronary heart disease severity: Mediating role of unhealthy behaviors

Aim: The purpose was to determine the role of psychological factors on coronary heart disease severity with mediation role of unhealthy behaviors.
This study utilized a descriptive correlational design. Statistical population of this study was included of patients with coronary heart disease of Tehran Heart Center and Fajr hospital with the quantity of 15000, of which 343 people were selected by convenience sampling. Research tools were depression, anxiety, stress scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), multidimensional scale of perceived social support (Zimet, Dahlen, Zimet, & Farly, 1988), state-trait anger expression inventory-2 (Spielberger, 1999), aggression questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992) and Type D Scale (Denollet, 1988). Unhealthy behaviors were assessed by using food frequency questionnaire and the number of cigarettes smoking per day. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.
The results showed that unhealthy behaviors mediate the relationship between psychological factors and coronary heart disease severity.
Psychological factors have an effect on the severity of coronary heart disease and part of this effect is related to the unhealthy behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended, psychological factors and unhealthy behaviors in coronary heart disease should be considered in the treatment programs.