Alessandra Pokrajac-Bulian1, Neala Ambrosi-Randić2. 1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. pokrajac@ffri.hr. 2. Department of Interdisciplinary, Italian, and Cultural Studies, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Croatia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship of illness perception with different aspects of cardiac anxiety, general anxiety and depression in a sample of male and female overweight and obese patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). STUDY DESIGN: The clinical sample included 165 adults (113 males) aged from 32 to 89 years. The patients were admitted to the Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation for a major cardiovascular event, acute myocardial infarction or myocardial revascularization. MEASUREMENTS: Psychological measurement included questionnaires of illness perception, cardiac anxiety, general anxiety and depression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Illness perception and cardiac anxiety in patients with CVD were associated with anxiety and depression. Regression analysis showed that illness perception accounts for a significant proportion of the variance in both anxiety and depression for males, but not for females. Gender-specific interrelations between perceptions of CVD and indices of mental health have an implication for interventions to maximize the effect of therapy with these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Descriptive study.
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship of illness perception with different aspects of cardiac anxiety, general anxiety and depression in a sample of male and female overweight and obesepatients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). STUDY DESIGN: The clinical sample included 165 adults (113 males) aged from 32 to 89 years. The patients were admitted to the Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation for a major cardiovascular event, acute myocardial infarction or myocardial revascularization. MEASUREMENTS: Psychological measurement included questionnaires of illness perception, cardiac anxiety, general anxiety and depression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:Illness perception and cardiac anxiety in patients with CVD were associated with anxiety and depression. Regression analysis showed that illness perception accounts for a significant proportion of the variance in both anxiety and depression for males, but not for females. Gender-specific interrelations between perceptions of CVD and indices of mental health have an implication for interventions to maximize the effect of therapy with these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Descriptive study.
Authors: Arianne K B van Reedt Dortland; Erik J Giltay; Tineke van Veen; Frans G Zitman; Brenda W J H Penninx Journal: Psychosom Med Date: 2012-11-28 Impact factor: 4.312