The influence of coronary bypass graft surgery on the marital relationship and family functioning of the patient.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of coronary bypass graft surgery on certain aspects of the marital relationship and on family functioning of patients. The secondary aim was to determine which coping strategies families used postoperatively. An experimental pre- and posttest research design was used. We collected data using the Enriching and Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness Scale, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale II, and the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales. The results indicated that bypass surgery had a negative effect on the patients' marital satisfaction, communication, and attitudes toward the division of roles in the marriage and family. Bypass surgery had a further negative influence on the emotional bonding of the patients and their spouses with other members of the family. The patients' adaptability regarding new challenges facing the family was also affected negatively. The patients who were still working also showed a greater decline in some of the measured variables than the retired patients. The coping strategies used most often by the families were the seeking of spiritual support and the reframing of the problem. The results also indicated that if passive appraisal was used as a coping strategy, the patients' marital satisfaction would decrease, and if reframing of the problem was used, the patients' adaptability regarding new challenges facing the family would increase.