The impact of denial and repressive style on information gain and rehabilitation outcomes in myocardial infarction patients.

The impact of denial, repressive style, and social desirability on information gained during hospitalization and their effects on recovery were studied in 30 patients with documented myocardial infarction (MI). Using three scores of cardiac knowledge as dependent variables, three significant findings emerged: 1) patients who denied more gained less information about heart anatomy and physiology; 2) patients who scored high on social desirability gained less information about symptoms indicating heart problems and activities appropriate for recovery; and 3) patients who were repressors gained less information about heart disease risk factors. Twenty-four of the 30 patients completed a survey of functioning 6 months after discharge. Dividing patients into four groups representing a match or mismatch between repressive style and information level, it was found that 1) repressors with high risk factor information reported more complications and poorer psychomedical functioning, and 2) sensitizers with low risk factor information reported poorer social functioning.