Indicators of active and passive coping in myocardial infarction victims.

This retrospective study attempted to explore life events, personality factors, subjective perceptions, and coping reactions in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Seventy-seven MI survivors participated in the study. The PERI Life Events Scale, the 16 PF personality inventory, and a questionnaire covering self-ratings of subjective perception and coping reactions were used to assess event-related influences. The following results were obtained: Multiple regression analyses yielded strong relationships between insecurity predicting perceived changeability, challenge, and threat. The number of prior events was a good predictor for problem solving and self-reflection, while self-attribution for the occurrence of the MI predicted self-blame and denial. A structural equation model indicated that anxiety and experience with stressful events were salient predictors for appraisal, whereas experience with prior events best predicted active coping, and socioeconomic status negatively predicted passive coping.