Spouse support and myocardial infarction patient compliance.

This study investigated the relationship between spouse support and compliance of myocardial infarction patients. Data were obtained from a sample of 60 couples during home interviews with the husband at least three months following his infarction. The hypothesis tested was that there is a positive relationship between spouse support and compliance. Husband's self-reported compliance was obtained for each of 10 aspects of the regimen. A spouse support questionnaire completed by wives estimated the degree to which they engaged in behaviors theorized to be supportive. Demographic and illness variables were also obtained. The hypothesis was not supported. Moreover, compliance was not related to demographic or illness variables, although those subjects still engaged in a cardiac rehabilitation program had significantly higher compliance than those who had stopped attending.