Psychosocial adaptation following an acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Sixty-three survivors of an acute myocardial infarction were studied. Each was interviewed weekly during the hospital period and at six weeks, three months, six months and one year post myocardial infarction. The interview and attendant rating scales were structured to elicit sociodemographic and psychological data (particularly whether anxiety, depression and denial were present) as well as detailed information on patient's return to work and sexual functioning. Each patient was requested to complete the California Personality Inventory at the end of hospitalization. Results are presented with regard to each follow-up period. The majority of patients had good psychosocial outcomes. Over 75% returned to work and previous sexual functioning and over 80% did not experience significant anxiety or depression by the time of the yearly follow-up. For patients who were depressed or anxious in the initial post-hospital period, this was not an evanescent phenomenon. A majority continued to be depressed or anxious at subsequent follow-up evaluations. Two groups of patients at opposite ends of the rehabilitation spectrum were identified. The poor rehabilitation group (13% of entire sample) consisted of patients who were depressed at each follow-up session, reported significant anxiety, and had a much lower rate of return to work and to sexual functioning. The deniers (25% of sample) presented at the opposite extreme. Severity of infarct, as measured by the Peel Index, did not differentiate between the two groups.