Social support, social networks and coronary artery disease rehabilitation: a review.

OBJECTIVE

To provide information to the medical community about the importance of social support and networks through examination and definition of social support and network variables, and by reviewing the evidence found in the literature showing a relationship among social support, social networks, coronary artery disease (CAD) and rehabilitation.

DATA SOURCES

Psyclit and Sociofile were searched for September 1979 through December 1994.

STUDY SELECTION

All publications covering social support, social networks and rehabilitation from CAD as well as large mortality studies. Fifty-one articles were reviewed.

DATA EXTRACTION

Original articles were summarized.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Individuals who benefit from social support are less likely to become disease-stricken and live longer than those with less support. Social support and networks may have a substantial influence on the speed and quality of recovery following myocardial infarction (MI).

CONCLUSIONS

A review of the literature indicates that social support plays an important role in recovery from and adaptation to chronic disease such as CAD and is of equal importance to the primary and secondary prevention of MI. Future research should pay special attention to what types of functional support are of most importance to recovery from MI and bypass surgery, thus allowing for the development of rehabilitation programs and interventions that will emphasize functions that are most needed. Interventions may involve the patient's natural support group to enhance the potential support providers' awareness of the patient's support needs. Social support may be especially important for maintaining compliance with rehabilitation programs for patients with CAD.