Same coping styles related to reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms among myocardial infarction patients

  Introduction : Coping strategies, anxiety and depressive symptoms are major problems of post myocardial infarction (MI) patients. However, in this case the studies are limited. The aim of this study was to determine some coping styles related to reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms among post-MI patients.   Materials and Methods: In a cross sectional study one hundred consecutive patients following MI admitted to the CCU wards of hospitals in Isfahan were selected during autumn in 2005. The patients completed Jalowiec coping questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Then the data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient , MANCOVA and Covariance.   Results: The c orrelation matrix describes a significantly negative correlation coefficients between anxiety and confronting (r=-0.535, P=0.0001), optimistic (r= -0.516, P=0.0001), supporting (r=-0.409, p=0.0001) and self-reliant coping style scores (r=-0.392, P=0.0001) and between depression and confronting (r=-0/267, P=0.007) and supporting coping scores (r= -0.361, P=0.011). Findings showed that the same coping styles negatively correlated to rate of anxiety and depressive symptoms were confronting and supporting coping styles. The results of covariance indicated no significant differences in coping styles between different age groups.   Conclusion: The comparisons of both relationships between coping styles and anxiety, and coping styles and depression show that two coping styles including confronting and supporting methods are probably associated with normally psychological function. Also, it seems that cognitive appraisal of personal control plays the important role in using coping strategies.