STRESS, COPING, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AS PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN READMISSIONS FOR ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE

This exploratory investigation aimed to identify psychological and soc ial factors associated with early (4 months post-discharge) readmissio n to hospital of persons with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Data on s tress (Stress Appraisal Scale), coping strategies (Ways of Coping Ques tionnaire), and social network/social support (Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire) were collected from 100 persons with the primary diagno sis of IHD prior to discharge From hospital. Twenty-four persons were readmitted during the 4-month study period. The sample was divided int o two groups for analysis: (1) persons with a first admission for IHD, and (2) persons with a prior history of admission for IHD. In compari son to persons with multiple admissions for cardiac illness, first tim e admissions appraised their IHD as less central and threatening, perc eived less affective and affirmational support from health professiona ls, and identified health professionals less and neighbours more as so urces of support. Greater use of the coping strategy 'seeking social s upport' was associated with the readmission of persons who had had the ir first admission for IHD. Less use of the coping strategy 'accepting responsibility' was associated with the readmission of persons who ha d a history of prior admission for IHD. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.